Feasibility and Efficacy of Microwave Ablation Combined with Iodine-125 Seed Implantation in Local Control of Recurrent Retroperitoneal Liposarcomas: Initial Clinical Experience

Introduction The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcomas (rRPLs). Materials and Methods From September 2012 to March 2015, 11 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Eleven tumors (median, 9 cm; range, 5.5–12.5 cm) were treated with computerized tomography-guided MWA for 11 sessions and 125I seed implantation for 18 sessions. 125I seed implantation was performed 4 weeks after MWA. Results There were no procedure-related deaths. Post-MWA pain (grade ≥2) was the most common complication (6 of 11 patients, 54.5%), and fever (grade ≥2) was observed in two patients. Reversible nerve injury, defined as transient limb paresthesia or leg weakness, was observed in one patient. There were fewer complications associated with the 125I seed implantation procedure compared with the MWA procedure. All 11 patients who underwent the MWA procedure achieved a partial response (PR), according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, 1 month post-ablation; after 125I seed implantation was performed, a complete response was observed in three, five, and six target tumors in 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Conclusion In selected patients with rRPLs, MWA combined with 125I seed implantation is feasible and safe with favorable local control efficacy.