射频消融治疗肝癌肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发的临床分析

探讨射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)治疗原发性肝细胞癌(肝癌)肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发的疗效及其安全性.方法 肝癌肝移植术后肿瘤肝内复发患者33例,其中26例采用RFA治疗者为RFA组,7例采用手术切除治疗者为手术组.观察与比较两组患者的手术时间、出血量、输血量、复发率、生存率、住院时间、临床转归情况,记录RFA组的术后并发症和不良反应.结果 RFA组和手术组的手术时间分别为(91±12)min、(242±27)min,出血量分别为0、(227±113)ml,输血量分别为0、(114±101)ml,住院时间分别为(6.0±1.4)d、(18.4±6.1)d,比较差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05).RFA组26例中死亡7例,手术组7例中5例死亡.RFA组和手术组的中位生存时间分别为13个月、10个月,两组的中位生存时间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组的术后复发率分别为81%(21/26)、2/7,比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).RFA组近期并发症为肝包膜下出血(31%);常见不良反应为发热(92%)、疼痛(100%)、胃肠道症状(42%),经对症处理可耐受.结论 RFA治疗肝移植术后肝癌肝内复发疗效较好,而且并发症少、患者耐受良好.     

原发性肝癌射频消融后肿瘤残留分析

目的 探讨原发性肝癌射频消融后肿瘤残瘤(即不完全消融)的相关影响因素.方法 1999月12月至2007年4月,上海第二军医大学附属东方肝胆外科医院共对1341例原发性肝癌病人的2696个肿瘤实施了超声引导下经皮射频消融治疗.术后1～2个月内复查,统计术后肿瘤残留发生率.结果 1142例病人2331个肿瘤得到有效复查资料.132例(11.6%)病人的192个(8.2%)肿瘤射频消融后发生活性组织残留.肿瘤大小、部位、生长方式、术前TACE、射频发生器类型以及超声定位清晰度等指标与术后肿瘤组织残留显著相关,分别为P=0.000,P=0.004,P=0.014,P=0.001和P=0.000.Logistic多因素回归分析表明,只有肿瘤大小、部位、生长方式以及术前TACE是肝癌射频消融后活性组织残留的独立影响因素.结论 合理选择肿瘤大小、部位和射频发生器,精确超声定位.术前实施TACE等可降低射频消融后不完全消融率.减少术后肿瘤残留.     

经皮射频消融治疗复发性肝癌的疗效及预后因素分析

目的探究原发性肝癌术后复发行经皮射频消融(RFA)后的疗效、生存率及其影响因素。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2016年6月郑州大学第一附属医院行手术切除的原发性肝癌术后复发的67例患者临床资料,采用统计软件SPSS 21.0分析,生存曲线采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制,组间比较采用LogRank检验,Cox风险比例模型进行预后因素分析。结果 67例术后复发的肝癌患者经皮RFA治疗后1、3、5年总体生存率分别为94%、62%、50%,1、3、5年无瘤总体生存率分别为56%、39%、26%。根据肝癌切除术后复发的肿瘤直径分为小肝癌组(≤3 cm,n=47)和中肝癌组(3 cm且≤5 cm,n=20),小肝癌组及中肝癌组行经皮RFA治疗后1、3、5年生存率分别为98%、67%、54%及86%、55%、40%,小肝癌组的生存率明显高于中肝癌组(P=0.007)。通过Cox模型多因素分析,结果显示复发病灶直径、术后甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平是影响患者经皮RFA后生存时间的危险因素。结论经皮RFA治疗术后复发性肝癌疗效确切,能以较小的创伤达到治疗的目的,小肝癌及术后AFP低行RFA预后更好。     

经皮肝穿刺射频消融对肝癌术后复发的治疗意义

再次手术切除是原发性肝癌术后复发获得根治性治疗的重要手段，但能够获得再次手术切除患者的比率非常低.其他无再次手术指征的患者目前常采用的治疗方法有肝动脉化疗栓塞(transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,TACE)、射频消融、微波消融、氩氮冷凝、无水乙醇瘤内注射、高强聚焦超声等。我们对1999年10月～2002年10月的77例无再次手术指征的复发性肝癌患者行B超引导经皮     

经皮肝穿刺射频消融与再次肝切除对复发性小肝癌的随机对照研究

目的 对于小肝癌(直径＜5 cm)而言,经皮肝穿刺射频消融可取的与手术相似的效果.我们期望了解其对复发性小肝细胞肝癌的疗效.方法 将我院2009.01-2011.11月收治的61例患者根据入组标准:复发性肝细胞癌,单发,直径＜5 cm.随机分为两组,26例行经皮肝穿刺射频消融(Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation,PRFA)35例再次肝切除治疗.结果 再次手术组和PRFA组的复发间隔时间分别为(1239.60±1017.00)和(903.42±975.11)天(P =0.066).两组的无瘤时间分别为(310.23±159.50)和(278.27±123.29)天(P=0.584).再次肝切除组和PRFA组的肿瘤的大小分别为(7.34±3.16)及(5.59 ±-3.40)cm2(P=0.215),两组总费用分别为(26150.66±7923.60)和(21135±1156.76)元(人民币),两组的住院时间分别为(15.29 ±4.28)和(7.46±2.20)天(P ＜0.001).结论 对于复发的小肝细胞肝癌PRFA治疗是有效的,且优于重复肝切除术,具有创伤小恢复快.     

手术切除联合射频消融治疗多发性肝癌合并肝硬化

目的探讨手术切除联合射频消融(radiofrequencyablation,RFA)治疗多发性肝癌合并肝硬化的可行性及疗效。方法2003年8月~2006年1月我院收治多发性肝癌合并肝硬化18例,术前经超声、螺旋CT或MRI共发现瘤体46个,其中2个病灶10例,3个病灶6例,4个病灶2例,全麻下距瘤体2cm做包括瘤体的不规则肝段切除、次病灶RFA治疗。结果18例均顺利完成手术切除及RFA治疗。同时行胆囊切除术2例,脾切除及食管胃底周围血管离断术1例。手术切除时间(37.4±8.8)min;单个病灶RFA时间(25.6±8.9)min,总RFA时间(39.8±14.7)min;总手术时间(152.6±30.8)min;总术中出血量(465.6±171.0)ml。未出现腹腔出血、胃肠道损伤、膈肌损伤及肝功能衰竭等严重并发症。术后1个月螺旋CT增强扫描证实,18例手术切除边缘未见残余肿瘤组织,RFA治疗病灶均完全坏死。随访6~31个月,5例发现肝内新病灶,采用经皮RFA进行治疗,其中1例术后15个月死于肝内再复发及肺转移;2例分别于术后7、16个月死于肝功能衰竭。结论手术切除联合RFA治疗多发性肝癌合并肝硬化安全可行,近期治疗效果肯定,最大程度保存受损的肝功能,但应根据病灶的位置及肝功能的状况选择合适的病人进行治疗。     

经肝动脉化疗栓塞联合射频消融治疗原发性肝癌及术后复发性肝癌的疗效比较及预后因素分析

目的比较TACE联合射频消融(RFA)治疗初发性及复发性肝癌的疗效,探讨影响预后的因素。方法对118例接受TACE联合RFA治疗肝癌患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。将患者分为初发组和复发组,比较两组间的总体生存率、无瘤生存率、安全性,选择可能对预后产生影响的因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果肝癌初发组1、2、3年生存率分别为93.20%、81.70%、67.10%,复发组为93.30%、81.70%、65.80%;初发组1、2、3年无瘤生存率为74.00%、49.10%、35.00%,复发组为57.40%、28.40%、14.20%,两组总体生存率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。复发组的无瘤生存率显著低于初发组(P=0.015)。血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)、Child-Pugh分级、总胆红素和合并门静脉侧支循环是影响消融后患者生存率的独立危险因素(P均0.05),AFP和合并门静脉侧支还是影响无瘤复发的独立危险因素。结论 TACE联合RFA治疗复发性肝癌可提高患者的生存率,减少肿瘤复发。总胆红素、AFP、Child-Pugh分级和合并门静脉侧支循环是影响肝癌患者生存率的显著性预后影响因子。     

肝癌射频消融技术及疗效评价方法

目的 总结肝癌射频消融(RFA)的临床经验并探讨评价RFA疗效的方法 .方法 对49例肝癌病人进行了统一方案的RFA治疗,其中男43例,女6例;年龄39～72岁,平均(56.4±9.3)岁.肿瘤直径1.5～10 cm,其中≤3 cm 16例,3.1～5 cm 15例,>5 cm 18例.按肝功能Child-Pugh分级,A级41例,B级8例.病理诊断为肝细胞癌44例,胆管细胞性肝癌5例.采用RITA射频消融肿瘤治疗系统(RF-1500)行RFA.在RFA后3～4周常规行CT及TACE,以评价肝癌RFA的效果及巩固疗效.结果 全部病例RFA术后恢复顺利,总体1、2、3年生存率为77.5%、56.5%和44.0%,肝癌RFA后3～4周,AFP阳性(≥25μg/L)者转阴率62.9%(22/35).改进的肝癌RFA方法 可对直径5 cm以下的肿瘤进行比较彻底的消融,≤5 cm者1、2、3年生存率为100%、79.6%和61.9%.将肝癌消融近期疗效分为3个级别,RFA术后获得根治性消融(19例)、亚根治消融(9例)、姑息性消融(21例)者2年生存率分别为85.7%、60.0%和24.3%.结论 肝癌RFA相当于从机能上切除了肿瘤,肝癌消融近期疗效三级分类法可以比较客观地评价RFA的效果,以指导辅助治疗的选择.     

射频消融治疗复发性肝癌24例临床分析

目的探讨射频消融治疗(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)对复发性肝癌(recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma)的临床疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析24例复发性肝癌的34个肿块经B超引导下进行射频消融治疗后的短期疗效、血清肿瘤标记物变化及并发症。结果完全消融(complete ablation,CA)的肿块30个,不完全消融(non-complete ablation,NCA)4个,CA率88.23%(30/34)。其中肿块直径≤3 cm的CA率为96.00%(24/25),3~5 cm为66.67%(4/6),≥5 cm为66.67%(2/3)。24例患者共有12例术前AFP升高,术后11例下降,其中转阴6例,另有1例升高。所有患者均顺利完成治疗,无严重并发症发生。结论 RFA治疗复发性癌安全、有效、并发症少,尤其适合治疗小病灶(直径≤3 cm),其近期疗效确切。     

射频消融治疗肝癌

射频消融为目前国际上新兴的肝癌治疗手段 ,具有安全、微创、适应证广、并发症少的特点。本文就射频消融技术的基本原理、适应证与禁忌证、临床应用治疗效果及其并发症进行讨论。     

Radiofrequency Ablation for Subcapsular Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Limited data from recent studies suggested an increased risk of bleeding complications, needle-track seeding, and local recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: Between May 2001 and October 2002, 80 patients underwent RFA of 104 HCC nodules. Forty-eight patients had subcapsular HCC (group I), whereas the other 32 patients did not have subcapsular HCC (group II). RFA was performed via celiotomy, laparoscopy, or a percutaneous approach. Subcapsular HCCs were ablated by indirect puncture through nontumorous liver, and the needle track was thermocoagulated.Results: There were no significant differences between groups in treatment morbidity (14.6% vs. 15.6%; P = .898), mortality (2.1% vs. 0%; P = 1.000), complete ablation rate after a single session (89.4% vs. 96.9%; P = .392), local recurrence rate (4.3% vs. 12.5%; P = .216), recurrence-free survival (1 year: 60.9% vs. 49.2%; P = .258), or overall survival (1 year: 88.3% vs. 79.4%; P = .441). After a median follow-up of 13 months, no needle-track seeding or intraperitoneal metastasis was observed.Conclusions: This study shows that the results of RFA for subcapsular HCCs are comparable to those of RFA for nonsubcapsular HCCs. Subcapsular HCC should not be considered a contraindication for RFA treatment.     

Significant Long-Term Survival After Radiofrequency Ablation of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers an alternative treatment in some unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with disease confined to the liver. We prospectively evaluated survival rates in patients with early-stage, unresectable HCC treated with RFA.Methods All patients with HCC treated with RFA between September 1, 1997, and July 31, 2002, were prospectively evaluated. Patients were treated with RFA by using a percutaneous or open intraoperative approach with ultrasound guidance and were evaluated at regular intervals to determine disease recurrence and survival.Results A total of 194 patients (153 men [79%] and 41 women [21%]) with a median age of 66 years (range, 39–86 years) underwent RFA of 289 sonographically detectable HCC tumors. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months (median follow-up, 34.8 months). Percutaneous and open intraoperative RFA was performed in 140 (72%) and 54 (28%) patients, respectively. The median diameter of tumors treated with RFA was 3.3 cm. Disease recurred in 103 (53%) of 194 patients, including 69 (49%) of 140 patients treated percutaneously and 34 (63%) of 54 treated with open RFA (not significant). Local recurrence developed in nine patients (4.6%). Most recurrence was intrahepatic. The overall complication rate was 12%. Overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years for all 194 patients were 84.5%, 68.1%, and 55.4%, respectively.Conclusions Treatment with RFA can produce significant long-term survival rates for cirrhotic patients with early-stage, unresectable HCC. RFA can be performed in these patients with relatively low complication rates. Confirmation of these results in randomized trials should be considered.Presented at the 57th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, New York, New York, March 18–21, 2004.Published by Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. © 2005 The Society of Surgical Oncology, Inc.     

Incomplete Ablation After Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Analysis of Risk Factors and Prognostic Factors

Background Complete ablation rates after a single session of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vary from 48% to 97%. Limited data are available regarding risk factors and prognostic significance of incomplete ablation. Methods Between April 2001 and March 2006, 298 patients underwent RFA of 393 HCC nodules with an intent of complete ablation after a single session. Risk factors for incomplete ablation and its effect on overall survival were analyzed. Results Two hundred seventy-three (91.6%) underwent complete tumor ablation, whereas the other 25 (8.4%) underwent incomplete tumor ablation after a single session of RFA. By multivariate analysis, tumor size >3 cm (P = .049) was found to be the only independent risk factor for incomplete ablation. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between patients with complete and incomplete ablation. By univariate analysis, no previous transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), preoperative serum alfa-fetoprotein ≤100 μg/mL, and complete response after further treatment of incomplete ablation were associated with better overall survival in patients with incomplete ablation. Conclusions This study demonstrated that incomplete ablation after RFA of HCC was associated with tumor size >3 cm. Our data also suggest that aggressive further treatment of tumors with incomplete ablation aiming at complete tumor response improves overall survival.     

射频消融在肝细胞肝癌根治性治疗中的临床价值

目的探索射频消融术（RFA）在肝细胞肝癌（简称肝癌）根治性治疗中的临床应用价值。方法检索近年来有关RFA在肝癌治疗中应用的文献并进行综述。结果肝脏移植、肝切除术和RFA是目前被认为具有治愈性治疗效果的3种方法,其中RFA由于具有较好的局部肿瘤控制效果,近年来较多地用于肝脏移植术前的减瘤治疗,在延长患者的等待期的同时不增加病例脱落及死亡的危险。虽然RFA与肝脏切除术对小肝癌的疗效目前尚有争论,但是RFA联合肝脏切除术,扩大了肝癌患者的手术指征,提高了疗效。结论由于RFA技术良好的局部肿瘤控制能力和微创特点,使其在肝癌的各种治疗策略中发挥越来越重要的作用,并与肝移植及肝部分切除术的优点相互补充,使更多的肝癌患者受益。无论是哪一种治疗方法,术中最大程度地减少残癌的发生率,术后密切随访,复发后积极地治疗才是提高疗效的根本。     

Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Surgical Resection for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis

Background and Aims Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) demonstrated good results for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients; it is still not clear whether the overall survival and disease-free survival after RFA are comparable with surgical resection. The aims of this study are to compare the overall survival and disease-free survival in two groups of cirrhotic patients with HCC submitted to surgery or RFA. Methods Two hundred cirrhotic patients with HCCs smaller than 6 cm were included in this retrospective study: 109 underwent RFA and 91 underwent surgical resection at a single Division of Surgery of University of Verona. Results Median follow-up time was 27 months. Overall survival was significantly longer in the resection group in comparison with the RFA group with a median survival of 57 and 28 months, respectively (P = 0.01). In Child–Pugh class B patients and in patients with multiple HCC, survival was not significantly different between the two groups. In patients with HCC smaller than 3 cm, the overall survival and disease-free survival for RFA and resection were not significantly different in univariate and multivariate analysis. Whereas in patients with HCC greater than 3 cm, surgery showed improvement in outcome in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions Surgical resection significantly improves the overall survival and disease-free survival in comparison with RFA. In a selected group of patients (Child–Pugh class B, multiple HCC, or in HCC ≤3 cm), the results between the two treatments did not show significant differences.     

Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Long-Term Results in a Large Series

Background  Intraoperative radiofrequency (RF) ablation with or without surgical resection currently plays one of important roles in modern hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. We evaluated long-term follow-up results including prognostic factors of intraoperative RF ablation for HCC that was difficult to treat percutaneously. Methods  A total of 133 patients (male, 22 female, mean age 55.8 years) underwent intraoperative RF ablations for 200 HCCs (follow-up period 3.0–79.7 months, median 22.3 months). Hepatic resection was also performed in 29 patients. Reasons for the intraoperative procedure included no safe electrode path (n = 59), excessive tumor burden (n = 41), nonvisualization of the HCC on ultrasonography (n = 20), and risk of collateral thermal damage to adjacent organs (n = 13). We evaluated the technique effectiveness rate at 1 month computed tomography (CT), cumulative local tumor progression rate, cumulative disease-free and overall survival rates, and complications. We also sought significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Results  The technique effectiveness at 1 month was 94.7% (126/133). The cumulative local tumor progression rates at 1 and 3 years were 4.9% and 8.8%, respectively. The cumulative disease-free and overall survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 51.8%, 21.3%, and 16.0% and 92.3%, 72.6%, and 46.5%, respectively. Major complications occurred in nine patients (6.8%). Procedure-related mortality was 1.5% (2/133). The patients treated for recurrent HCC (P = 0.003) or with high serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.009) had poor survival by multivariate analysis. Conclusion  The results of this study showed that intraoperative radiofrequency ablation with or without hepatic resection is a safe and effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who are not candidates for the percutaneous approach.     

Radio Frequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients: Prognostic Factors for Survival

Background  Radio frequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma has proved to be useful in local control of tumor. A few data on survival after treatment are available in literature. The aim of the study was to evaluate factors related to survival and to identify different classes of risk after radio frequency ablation. Methods  Ninety-eight cirrhotic patients with 145 hepatocellular carcinomas were treated with radio frequency ablation from January 1998 to May 2004. In 55 patients, cirrhosis was in Child-Pugh class A, and in 43, in class B. Tumor was single in 60 and multiple in 38; mean tumor number was 1.5 (range 1–3). Tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 cm, mean 3.8 cm. Mean follow up period was 24.9 months. Radio frequency ablation was performed with expandable type needle with percutaneous approach under real-time ultrasound guidance. For statistical analysis, univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. Results  Complete ablation of the tumor was achieved in 85.5% of lesions. Survival, 1 and 3 years, was 76.7 and 36.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score, tumor growth pattern, α-fetoprotein level, and complete tumor necrosis, were factors significantly related to poor survival. Multivariate analysis identified that factors related to poor survival were α-fetoprotein level >100 ng/ml, Child-Pugh class B, and incomplete tumor necrosis with a hazard ratio of 4.0, 2.7, and 3.8, respectively. After complete ablation, median survival was 38 months in patients with Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and α-fetoprotein level ≤100 ng/ml, 22 months for patient with Child-Pugh class B cirrhosis and α-fetoprotein ≤100 ng/ml, and 9 months for patient with Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and α-fetoprotein >100 ng/ml (P < 0.01). Conclusions  Complete necrosis and absence of residual tumor positively affect survival after RFA. In patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and α-fetoprotein level ≤100 radio frequency, ablation have results, 55% after 3 years, that are comparable to those of surgical resection. Patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis and/or α-fetoprotein >100 ng/ml showed less satisfactory results, and in these patients, multimodality treatment or other treatments should be considered.     

Prognostic Factors and Optimal Treatment Strategy for Intrahepatic Nodular Recurrence After Curative Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Intrahepatic recurrence is a major problem after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the most effective treatments for patients with intrahepatic recurrence still remain unclear. In addition, the selection of various treatment modalities such as repeat resection, local ablation therapy, and transarterial chemoembolization is only applicable to patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence. Methods Of 353 patients who underwent curative resection, 97 patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence were retrospectively studied. The prognostic factors for survival after recurrence and treatment modalities were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups, a control group and a progression group, according to their response to initial treatment for recurrent tumors. Results The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates after recurrence in patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence were 91.0%, 71.0%, and 37.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that early recurrence (≤12 months), Child-Pugh class B or C at diagnosis of recurrence, and serum albumin level of ≤3.5 g/dL at diagnosis of recurrence were poor prognostic factors for survival after recurrence. With regard to the response to the initial treatment, time to recurrence of ≤12 months was found to be the only statistically significant risk factor for progression of disease in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Time to recurrence, which usually corresponds with the cellular origin of recurrence, seems to be more important when determining the prognosis of patients with recurrent disease and treatment response than treatment modality. Therefore, different treatment methods should be selected according to the time to recurrence of intrahepatic nodular recurrence.     

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Hepatectomy: Long-term Results and Prognostic Factors

Background We evaluated the long-term survival results and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy, and assessed the prognostic factors that can influence its long-term therapeutic results. Methods One hundred and two patients, who had 119 recurrent HCC in their livers, underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA. All the patients had a history of hepatic resection as a first-line treatment modality for HCC. The mean diameter of the recurrent tumors was 2.0 cm (range, 0.8–5.0 cm). We evaluated the effectiveness rates, local tumor progression rates, survival rates, and complications. We also assessed the prognostic factors of the survival rates by using Cox proportional hazard models. Results The primary effectiveness rate was 93.3% (111 of 119). The cumulative rates of local tumor progression at 1, 3, and 5 years were 6.0, 8.6, and 11.9%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years were 93.9, 83.7, 65.7, 56.6, and 51.6%, respectively. Patients with a lower serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level (≤100 μg/L) before RFA or with small resected tumors (≤5 cm) demonstrated better survival results (P < .05). There was only one major complication (liver abscess, 1.0% per treatment) during the follow-up period. There were no procedure-related deaths. Conclusions Percutaneous RFA is an effective and safe treatment modality for intrahepatic recurrent HCC after hepatectomy. Serum AFP level before RFA and resected tumor size were significant prognostic predictors of long-term survival.     

Surgical Resection Versus Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Small Unifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high worldwide prevalence and mortality. While surgical resection and transplantation offers curative potential, donor availability and patient liver status and comorbidities may disallow either. Interventional radiological techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may offer acceptable overall and disease-free survival rates. Materials and Methods  Sixty-eight cirrhotic patients matched for age, sex, tumor size, and Child–Pugh grade with small (1–5 cm) unifocal HCC were studied retrospectively to find determinants of overall and disease-free survival in those treated with surgical resection and RFA between 1991 and 2003. Results  Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional regression modeling showed that overall survival was related to tumor recurrence (p = 0.010), tumor diameter (p = 0.002), and treatment modality (p = 0.014); overall p = 0.008. Recurrence was independently related to the use of RFA over surgery (p = 0.023) on multivariate analysis; overall p = 0.034. Conclusion  Surgical resection offers longer disease-free survival and potentially longer overall survival than RFA in patients with small unifocal HCC.