Manipal Introduces New Treatment Option for Liver Cancer Patients

Bangalore July 27, 2004: Manipal Hospital has begun yet another unique non-surgical procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation, which will be of immense help to patients with liver cancer. A team comprising Dr. Dinesh Kini, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Dr. L Siddappa, Consultant Radiologist, have successfully performed the first such procedure.

Dr. L Siddappa, Consultant Radiologist, Manipal Hospital informed, “Radiofrequency Ablation is one of the newer techniques for destroying cancerous liver tumours, particularly for size less than 5 cms, and needs just one sitting. It is a technique that uses high frequency alternating current to heat tissues to the point of coagulation necrosis using a small needle which is placed under ultrasound / CT guidance directly into the liver tumour. This needle is connected to a generator which provides desired thermal temperatures to burn tumour cells.”

Mr. Abdul Sadiq, a 60 year old gentleman, was diagnosed at a hospital in Cannanore, Kerala for chronic liver disease (Cirrhosis of the Liver) that had got further complicated by liver cancer (hepatoma). He was referred to Manipal Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. After initial evaluation it was found that he was not a candidate for any surgical treatment in view of his poor liver function and was offered local treatment of his liver cancer - by radio frequency ablation or trans arterial chemoembolization.

He underwent Radiofrequency Ablation on July 15, 2004, was kept under observation for just one day and was discharged the next day. The post procedure stay was uneventful and subsequent imaging showed excellent tumour destruction.

Dr. Dinesh Kini, Consultant Gasteroenterologist, Manipal Hospital informed, “This technique has shown promising results in the treatment of liver cancers, particularly from data provided by doctors in Italy and Japan. However, experience from our own country is limited. The success of this procedure at Manipal Hospital will provide hope to patients with this disease.”

Majority patients with liver cancer are poor surgical candidates because of coexisting liver diseases, late presentation or presence of multiple tumours at the time of diagnosis. Radio-frequency ablation, a non surgical local treatment, takes just one day of hospitalization and drastically improves the quality of life and survival.

Issued by                                              For More information (Medical / Technical)
Rajesh Pandey                                       Dr. Dinesh Kini / Dr. L Siddappa
Sr. Manager –Communications              Tel: 2526 8901/ 2526 6646Mob: 98440 57437