Original Paper

Management of Advanced Abdominopelvic Tumors with Combined Radiofrequency Ablation and Surgical Debulking
J. Spiliotis^a, P. Hadjicostas^c, A. Rogdakis^a, A. Vaxevanidou^b, N. Malakounides^c, A. Datsis^a, K. Tsiveriotis^a, Z. Karkavitsa^c, S. Kekelos^a

Departments of
^aSurgery and
^bAnesthesiology, General Hospital of Mesologgi, Mesologgi, Greece;
^cDepartment of Surgery, Nicosia General Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus

Address of Corresponding Author

Dig Surg 2008;25:188-190 (DOI: 10.1159/000140687)

  Key Words

• Abdominopelvic tumors
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Debulking

  Abstract

Aim: Advanced abdominopelvic tumors due to rectal cancer, gynecological cancer or sarcomas are often unresectable using surgery alone. This study presents the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical debulking for such tumors. Methods: Between November 2005 and June 2007 we treated 4 patients with tumor fixation to the pelvic side wall and to the sacroiliac joint. Two of these patients had recurrent gynecological cancer while the other 2 had rectal cancer. All 4 of them had received prior treatment. The radiofrequency probe was placed in the center of the tumor. A 5- to 8-cm tissue core was ablated and aspirated or curetted out. This was repeated centrifugally out to the tumor capsule. Results: Control of the tumor for more than 12 months was achieved in 3 patients. One patient died 14 months after the procedure due to tumor progression. Two patients are still alive 12 and 14 months after the operation without symptoms. The other patient is alive 6 months after the operation in a disease-free condition. Conclusions: Combined RFA and surgical debulking is beneficial as an alternative palliative method in patients with inoperable abdominopelvic tumors.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

J. Spiliotis
Papadiamanti 2
GR-26504, Ag. Vasilios, Rion, Patras (Greece)
Tel. +30 261 099 5983, Fax +30 263 105 7313, E-Mail jspil@in.gr

  Article Information

Received: September 12, 2007
Accepted: February 24, 2008
Published online: June 23, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 3
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 16