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 ((125)I) 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 (125)I seed implantation for 18 sessions. (125)I 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 (125)I 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 (125)I 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 (125)I seed implantation is feasible and safe with favorable local control efficacy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and short‐term efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) combined with iodine‐125 ((125)I) seed implantation in recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcomas (rRPLs). Results suggest that a single session of MWA may be not sufficient in large‐volume rRPLs and that as a supplement treatment, (125)I seed implantation is safe and easy accessible. MWA combined with (125)I seed has excellent local control effectiveness, and long‐term efficacy and survival benefit still need to be more comprehensively evaluated.