Laserinduzierte Thermotherapie (LITT) von Lebertumoren in zentraler Lokalisation: Ergebnisse und Komplikationen

Purpose: To investigate whether laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT) for tumors of the liver in central location is a sufficient and safe therapeutic option. Material and Methods: According to predefined criteria, 23 of 136patients were chosen to be treated with LITT because of malignant liver tumors. At the time of the first LITT, the patients had 28 central tumors (27 metastases, one HCC), which were treated in 34 sessions with 64 laser applications and had a clinical and imaging follow-up every 3 months. Results: The primary effectiveness rate was 74.1% and the secondary effectiveness rate 82.1 %. The mortality rate was 0%. Major complications occurred in one patient (hemorrhagic pleural effusion), while minor complications occurred in 10 patients. During the median follow-up of 20 months (range 3-57 months), local tumor progression developed in 22% of the tumors. The effectiveness rate was 78.6%, 71.4% and 64.3% after 3, 6 and 9 months. The median survival was 46.0 months (95 % confidence interval: 28.6-47.1 months). Conclusion: In our patients, complications and ablation rate of laser-induced thermotherapy for central liver tumors do not differ from those in peripheral location as described in the literature.