Rapid progression of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterialchemoembolization and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the primary tumour region

We report one patient who showed rapid progression of hepatocellular carcin oma (HCC) after undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for a small HCC measuring 2 .5 cm in diameter. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following trea tment showed complete tumour necrosis and did not reveal the presence of a tumour around the treated area. Furthermore, the serum alpha-fetoprotein (A FP) level decreased at the completion of therapy, However, the HCC advanced in a very short time. Numerous tumours around the treated area were observ ed on enhanced computed tomography (CT) 50 days after PRFA. It is strongly suspected that the tumour was disseminated through the portal system becaus e of the presence pattern of tumours. We believe this to be the first case illustrating a hepatic cancer that progressed rapidly following TACE and PR FA. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 13:291-294 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & W ilkins.