Alteration of Laboratory Findings after Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Relationship with Severity of Underlying Liver Diseases and Ablation Volume

Alteration of Laboratory Findings after Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Relationship with Severity of Underlying Liver Diseases and Ablation Volume

Background/Aims: To investigate sequential changes in laboratory markers after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship of these changes to the severity of the underlying liver disease. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 65 patients (44 males, 21 females) who underwent RFA of HCC. Hematologic and biochemical markers were assessed at the pre-RFA period and 1 day, 2–3 days, and 1–2 weeks after RFA. We classified the subjects into two groups: Child-Pugh A (n=41) and Child-Pugh B (n=24). The ablative margin volume (AMV) of each patient was measured. We analyzed the changes in laboratory profiles from the baseline, and investigated whether these laboratory changes were correlated with the AMV and the Child-Pugh classification. Results: Most of the laboratory values peaked at 2–3 days after RFA. AMV was significantly correlated with changes in WBC count, hemoglobin level, and serum total bilirubin level (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, 0.324–0.453; P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level varied significantly over time (P=0.023). Conclusions: Most of the measured laboratory markers changed from baseline, peaking at 2–3 days. The ALT level was the only parameter for which there was a significant difference after RFA between Child-Pugh A and B patients: it increased significantly more in the Child-Pugh A patients. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2015;21:71-79)

Background/Aims: To investigate sequential changes in laboratory markers after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship of these changes to the severity of the underlying liver disease. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 65 patients (44 males, 21 females) who underwent RFA of HCC. Hematologic and biochemical markers were assessed at the pre-RFA period and 1 day, 2–3 days, and 1–2 weeks after RFA. We classified the subjects into two groups: Child-Pugh A (n=41) and Child-Pugh B (n=24). The ablative margin volume (AMV) of each patient was measured. We analyzed the changes in laboratory profiles from the baseline, and investigated whether these laboratory changes were correlated with the AMV and the Child-Pugh classification. Results: Most of the laboratory values peaked at 2–3 days after RFA. AMV was significantly correlated with changes in WBC count, hemoglobin level, and serum total bilirubin level (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, 0.324–0.453; P<0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level varied significantly over time (P=0.023). Conclusions: Most of the measured laboratory markers changed from baseline, peaking at 2–3 days. The ALT level was the only parameter for which there was a significant difference after RFA between Child-Pugh A and B patients: it increased significantly more in the Child-Pugh A patients. (Clin Mol Hepatol 2015;21:71-79)