Effectiveness, Safety, and Local Progression After Percutaneous Laser Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Nodules up to 4 cm Are Not Affected by Tumor Location

OBJECTIVE. A high-risk location—defined as the tumor margin being less than 5 mm from large vessels or vital structures—represents a well-known limitation and contraindication for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules. The aim of this study was to verify whether HCC nodule location negatively affected the outcome of percutaneous laser ablation in terms of its primary effectiveness, safety, and ability to prevent local tumor progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The medical records and radiologic examinations of 164 cirrhotic patients (90 men, 74 women; mean age ± SD, 68.6 ± 8.3 years) with 182 HCC nodules 4 cm or smaller (mean diameter ± SD, 2.7 ± 0.78 cm) that had been treated by laser ablation between 1996 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred six patients had 116 nodules in high-risk sites (high-risk group), whereas 58 patients had 66 tumors located elsewhere (standard-risk group). RESULTS. The overall median follow-up was 81 months (range, 6–144 months). The ini...