A novel mono-modality fusion imaging method based on three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of ablation margins after microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundTo investigate the feasibility and accuracy of using preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D CEUS) fusion imaging in the evaluation of safety margins after thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of the 24 patients with HCC who underwent microwave ablation (MWA) between June 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled in this study. All patients received preoperative and postoperative 3D CEUS. The preoperative and postoperative 3D CEUS images were then fused. The success rate and evaluation time were recorded. The ablation margin and whether or not the safety margin was reached were calculated and recorded. If the ablation safety margin was not reached, the residual ablation volume needed to cover the safety margin was calculated automatically. The agreement between contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT) and 3D CEUS fusion imaging in the evaluation of ablation margins was explored using the kappa coefficient.ResultsThe 3D CEUS fusion success rate was 95.8% (23/24), with a mean fusion time of (4.1±1.8) minutes. Twenty-three tumors were completely ablated, and the safety margin was achieved for 9 tumors. The ablation margin of 14 tumors was <5 mm. The mean uncovered safety margin volume was (2.27±2.11) mL, and the mean proportion of the uncovered safety margin to the whole safety margin was 16.8%. According to the results of preoperative and postoperative CECT fusion imaging, the ablation margin of 13 tumors was <5 mm, and the ablation margin of 10 tumors was >5 mm. The 2 methods showed excellent consistency, with a Kappa value of 0.911 (P=0.000012).ConclusionsThis study has presented a novel mono-modality fusion imaging method based on CEUS. We demonstrated that 3D CEUS fusion has a short fusion time and a high success rate, as well as good consistency with enhanced CT fusion. Therefore, 3D CEUS fusion is a feasible and accurate tool for evaluating the immediate efficacy of thermal ablation of HCC.     

Safety margin after radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: precise assessment with a three-dimensional reconstruction technique using CT imaging

Purpose: To analyse the precise ablative margin (AM) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between AM and local tumour progression (LTP) with a three-dimension (3D) reconstruction technique.

Methods: From March 2011 to May 2013, 134 patients who underwent RFA for 159 primary or recurrent HCCs within Milan criteria were enrolled. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scans were performed 1?week before and 1?month after treatment. The AM was measured in various directions using a 3D reconstruction technique that shows the index tumour and ablated zone on the same image. The average of all obtained AMs (average AM) and the smallest AM (min-AM) were calculated.

Results: The min-AM after RFA ranged from 1 to 9.3?mm (median?±?standard deviation, 4.8?±?1.8?mm). LTP was observed in 19 tumours from 19 patients. The median min-AM was 3.1?±?1.6?mm for patients with LTP, while the median min-AM of patients without LTP was 5.1?±?1.8?mm (p?=?0.023). After RFA, the 1-, 2- and 3-year LTP rates were 10.9, 25.9 and 35.1%, respectively, for patients with min-AM <5?mm, and 4.1, 4.1 and 4.1%, respectively, for patients with min-AM ≥5?mm (p?=?0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that only min-AM <5?mm was an independent risk factor for LTP after RFA (p?=?0.044, hazard ratio =4.587, 95% confidence interval, 1.045–22.296).

Conclusions: The 3D reconstruction technique is a precise method for evaluating the post-ablation margin. Patients with min-AM less than 5?mm had a higher probability of developing LTP.     

Immediate evaluation and guidance of liver cancer thermal ablation by three-dimensional ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound fusion imaging

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and value of three-dimensional ultrasound/contrast-enhanced ultrasound (3D US-CEUS) fusion imaging for the immediate evaluation of technical success and the guidance of supplementary ablation during the liver cancer thermal ablation procedure.

Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with malignant liver cancer intending to receive thermal ablation including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) were enrolled. 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging was used to immediately assess the technical success and guide supplementary ablation. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CECT/CEMRI) was performed one month after ablation to assess the technique effectiveness of the ablation. The registration success rate, duration time of 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging, technique effectiveness rate and major complications were recorded.

Results: In total, 76 patients with 95 tumours who underwent RFA or MWA and assessed by 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging were enrolled. The registration success rate of 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging was 93.7% (89/95), and the duration time was 4.0?±?1.1?min. Thirty lesions received supplementary ablation immediately during the procedure. The technique effectiveness rate of the ablation was 98.8% (81/82). There were no major complications related to ablation.

Conclusions: 3D US-CEUS fusion imaging is a feasible and valuable technique for the immediate evaluation and guidance of supplementary ablation during the liver cancer thermal ablation procedure.     

The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantitative parameters in the prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe postoperative recurrence rate is the main factor affecting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, this study sought to investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) quantitative parameters in predicting the recurrence and the survival of HCC patients after thermal ablation.MethodsThe data of 97 patients with pathologically diagnosed HCC who underwent thermal ablation were retrospectively included in this study. The patients had an average age of 46.6 years (range, 23–79 years), and 79 were male and 18 were female. CEUS follow-up was performed at 1- and 3-month after thermal ablation, then at 6-month intervals thereafter for 5 years. CEUS was performed before thermal ablation, and the results were analyzed quantitatively using CEUS perfusion software (VueBox^®, Bracco, Italy). The ratios of the CEUS quantitative parameters between the HCC lesions and reference liver parenchyma were calculated. The parameters included the average contrast signal intensity (MeanLin), peak enhancement (PE), rising time (RT), fall time (FT), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (mTT), perfusion index (PI), Wash-in Area Under the Curve (WiAUC), Wash-in Rate (WiR), Wash-in Perfusion Index (WiPI), Wash-out Area Under the Curve (WoAUC), Wash-out Rate (WoR), and WiAUC + WoAUC (WiWoAUC). The correlations between the preoperative CEUS quantitative parameter ratios, the blood laboratory indexes, postoperative recurrence, and survival were analyzed using log-rank tests and a Cox regression model.ResultsThe average follow-up duration period was 79 months (range, 5–145 months). The average recurrence time after ablation was 1–127 months, and the median disease-free survival time was 21 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 96.9%, 92.3%, and 80.6%, respectively. The log-rank tests showed that tumor size, prothrombin time, and WiAUC, WoAUC, and WiWoAUC ratios were predictors of survival, and aspartate aminotransferase was a predictor of recurrence. The Cox regression analysis showed that tumor size [odds ratio (OR): 6.421; 95% CI: 1.434–28.761] and alanine transaminase (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.010–0.742) were predictors of a poor prognosis.ConclusionsCEUS quantitative parameters before thermal ablation and blood laboratory indexes provide potential clinical value for predicting the postoperative recurrence and survival of HCC patients.     

Comparison of microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Microwave ablation (MWA) has several advantages over radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of MWA with those of RFA for HCC from the perspectives of percutaneous and laparoscopic approaches.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane library, and China Biology Medicine databases were searched. Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of MWA with those of RFA in patients with HCC were considered eligible. Complete ablation (CA), local recurrence (LR), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and the major complication rate were compared between MWA and RFA.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials and 10 cohort studies were included. For percutaneous ablation, no significant difference was found between MWA and RFA regarding CA, LR, DFS, OS, and the major complication rate. A subgroup analysis of tumors measuring ≥3?cm revealed no difference in CA and LR for percutaneous ablation. For laparoscopic ablation, a significantly lower LR rate and a non-significant trend toward a higher major complication rate were observed for the MWA group (odds ratio [OR] 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–4.02, p?=?.01 for LR; OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04–1.03, p?=?.05 for major complication rate). CA, DFS, and OS were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions: Percutaneous (P)-MWA had similar therapeutic effects compared with P-RFA for HCC. Patients undergoing laparoscopic MWA had a lower LR rate; however, their major complication rate appeared to be higher. The superiority of MWA over RFA remains unclear and needs to be confirmed by high-quality evidence.     

Microwave ablation versus radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are the two main percutaneous techniques for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, to date, studies comparing the two therapies have provided discordant results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two treatments for HCC patients. Materials and methods: A computerised bibliographic search was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane library databases. The rates of complete response (CR), local recurrence (LRR), 3-year survival (SR) and major complications were compared between the two treatment groups by using the Mantel-Haenszel test in cases of low heterogeneity or the DerSimonian and Laird test in cases of high heterogeneity. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analyses. In order to confirm our finding, sensitivity analysis was performed restricting the analysis to high-quality studies. Results: One randomised controlled trial (RCT) and six retrospective studies with 774 patients were included in the meta-analysis. A non-significant trend of higher CR rates in the patients treated with MWA was found (odds ratio (OR)?=?1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.88, p?=?0.67]. Overall LRR was similar between the two treatment groups (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.53–1.87, p?=?0.98) but MWA outperformed RFA in cases of larger nodules (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24–0.89, p?=?0.02). 3-year SR was higher after RFA without statistically significant difference (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.58–1.57, p?=?0.85). Major complications were more frequent, although not significantly, in MWA patients (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.88–3.03, p?=?0.12). Conclusions: Our results indicate a similar efficacy between the two percutaneous techniques with an apparent superiority of MWA in larger neoplasms.     

Combination therapy of radiofrequency ablation and bevacizumab monitored with power Doppler ultrasound in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to monitor tumour blood flow with power Doppler ultrasound following antiangiogenic therapy with bevacizumab in order to optimally time the application of radiofrequency (RF) ablation to increase ablation diameter.

Materials and methods: Athymic nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts were treated with bevacizumab and imaged daily with power Doppler ultrasound to quantify tumour blood flow. Mice were treated with RF ablation alone or in combination with bevacizumab at the optimal time, as determined by ultrasound. Ablation diameter was measured with histology and tumour microvascular density was calculated with immunohistochemistry. A computational thermal model of RF ablation was used to estimate ablation volume.

Results: A maximum reduction of 27.8?±?8.6% in tumour blood flow occurred on day 2 following antiangiogenic therapy, while control tumours increased 29.3?±?17.1% (p?<?0.05). Tumour microvascular density was similarly reduced by 45.1?±?5.9% on day 2 following antiangiogenic therapy. Histology demonstrated a 13.6?±?5.6% increase in ablation diameter (40?±?21% increase in volume) consistent with a computational model.

Conclusion: Quantitative power Doppler ultrasound is a useful biomarker to monitor tumour blood flow following antiangiogenic treatment and to guide the application of RF ablation as a drug plus device combination therapy.     

超声造影与增强CT对肝癌射频消融效果的一致性评价

  目的  对超声造影与增强CT对肝癌射频消融术后评价效果一致性进行分析。  方法  对35例患者共68个肿瘤病灶进行超声或CT引导下射频消融治疗,术后同时定期进行增强CT以及超声造影检查评价射频消融效果,分析超声造影以及增强CT在肿瘤完全消融率、残留率,复发率、准确性以及超声造影与增强CT一致性。  结果  68个病灶中,超声造影评价肿瘤总体完全消融率以及残留率分别为84%及16%,增强CT分别为90%及10%,二者之间比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.576 3,P=0.447 8),具有很高的一致性(K=0.882 9,Sk=0.120 4),68个病灶中24个月内共有13个病灶为复发病灶,超声造影对复发病灶检出率为92%(12/ 13),与增强CT 100%(13/13)之间比较差异无统计意义(P>0.05)。以增强CT作为判断RFA后肿瘤残留及复发的金标准,超声造影对68个肿瘤病灶总体诊断准确性为92%(63/68),5个病灶判断不一致。  结论  超声造影在肝癌射频消融效果评价中与增强CT具有很高准确性及一致性,能为肿瘤射频消融术后治疗提供可靠诊断依据。      

经皮肝穿刺射频热凝对复发性肝癌的治疗意义

目的 探讨对于无再次手术指征的复发性肝癌行B超引导经皮肝穿刺射频热凝(PRFA)治疗的意义。方法 1999年10月～2001年7月经病理证实为原发性肝癌，术后影像学和血清肿瘤标记物证实为肝癌复发的47患者进行B超引导PRFA治疗。复发瘤灶为单发者24例、多发者23例，其中复发灶为单发且小于3．5cm者12例。定期随访，复查AFP、肝功能和B超，1个月后复查MRI或CT了解肿瘤坏死情况，以后每3个月复查。Kaplan—Meier法计算累积生存率。结果 复发灶为单发者1、2、3年的生存率分别为65.2％、37．5％、37．5％，复发灶为单发且小于3.5cm者1、2、3年的生存率分别为83.3％、51．4％、51．4％。复发灶为多发者1、2年的生存率为41．7％、19．5％。结论 B超引导经皮肝穿刺射频热凝是肝癌综合治疗中一种重要手段，对于无再次手术指征的复发性肝癌可以根据复发瘤灶的大小、范围、复发时间，决定单独或结合TACE给予B超引导经皮肝穿刺射频热凝(PRFA)治疗，可以更加有效地控制复发、提高生存率。     

Advanced ultrasonography technologies to assess the effects of radiofrequency ablation on hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In RFA, ultrasonography (US) is most commonly used to guide tumor puncture, while its effects are assessed using dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance. The differences in modalities used for RFA and assessment of its effects complicate RFA. We developed a method for assessing the effects of RFA on HCC by combining contrast-enhanced (CE) US and real-time virtual sonography with three-dimensional US data.

Patients and methods

Before RFA, we performed a sweep scan of the target HCC nodule and the surrounding hepatic parenchyma to generate three-dimensional US data. After RFA, we synchronized multi-planar reconstruction images derived from stored three-dimensional US data with real-time US images on the same US monitor and performed CEUS and real-time virtual sonography. Using a marking function, we drew a sphere marker along the target HCC nodule contour on pre-treatment US- multi-planar reconstruction images so that the automatically synchronized sphere marker represented the original HCC nodule contour on post-treatment real-time CEUS images. Ablation was considered sufficient when an avascular area with a margin of several millimeters in all directions surrounded the sphere marker on CEUS.

Results

This method was feasible and useful for assessing therapeutic effects in 13 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent RFA. In 2 patients who underwent multiple sessions of RFA, HCC-nodule portions requiring additional RFA were easily identified on US images.

Conclusions

This method using advanced US technologies will facilitate assessment of the effects of RFA on HCC.     

射频消融术联合肝动脉化疗栓塞治疗肝癌的临床效果

目的探讨射频消融术后联合肝动脉化疗栓塞对肝癌的治疗效果。方法25例肝癌患者共34个瘤灶,中等大小肿瘤(3 cm~5 cm)9个,大肿瘤(>5.1 cm)25个。射频消融术后2~10周行肝动脉化疗栓塞术。治疗效果采用增强CT扫描和临床随访评估。结果射频消融术后CT扫描见治疗区仍有残留癌灶。化疗栓塞后CT扫描见大部分残留癌灶碘油沉积良好。16例患者AFP转阴或明显下降。24例获随访,累计生存率>1年(87.9%),>2年(70.8%)。结论射频消融术后联合肝动脉化疗栓塞是治疗肝癌的有效方法。     

Percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma pulmonary metastases

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma pulmonary metastases (HCCPM) and to identify the prognostic factors for survival.

Materials and methods: We reviewed the medical records of 320 patients with HCCPM treated between January 2005 and January 2012. Among them, 29 patients with 68 lesions of unresectable HCCPM underwent 56 RFA sessions. Safety, local efficacy, survival and prognostic factors were evaluated. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analyses were evaluated by the log-rank test.

Results: Pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement occurred in five (8.9%, 5/56) RFA sessions. During the median follow-up period of 23 months (range 6–70), 18 patients (62.1%, 18/29) died of tumour progression and 11 (37.9%, 11/29) were alive. The 1-, 2- and 3-year overall survival rates were 73.4%, 41.1% and 30%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 18 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.8–26.2) and the median overall survival time was 21 months (95%CI, 9.7–32.3). The maximum tumour diameter ≤3?cm (p?=?0.002), the number of pulmonary metastases ≤3 (p?=?0.014), serum AFP level ≤400?ng/mL (p?=?0.003), and the controlled status of intrahepatic tumour after lung RFA (p?=?0.001) were favourable prognostic factors for overall survival.

Conclusions: Our study indicates that percutaneous CT-guided RFA, as an alternative treatment procedure to pulmonary metastasectomy, can be a safe and effective therapeutic option for unresectable HCCPM.     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation therapy for early stage hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND:

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is becoming a well‐known local therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is expected to enhance the effects of subsequent RFA by reducing arterial blood flow. However, the long‐term efficacy of this combined therapy has not been elucidated. In this study, the survival rates of patients who received TACE combined with RFA (TACE + RFA) were compared with those of patients treated surgically.

METHODS:

The study included consecutive patients who received TACE + RFA or surgical resection as the initial curative treatment for HCC between 2000 and 2005 at Tokai University Hospital. Inclusion criteria were a single HCC ≤50 mm or up to 3 HCCs ≤30 mm, presence of cirrhosis classified as Child‐Pugh class A, no vascular invasion, and no extrahepatic metastasis.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐two patients (23 women, 39 men; aged 67.5 ± 8.4 years [mean ± standard deviation]) received TACE + RFA, and 55 patients (15 women, 40 men; aged 66.1 ± 8.4 years) underwent surgical resection. Median follow‐up periods were similar (50 months in the TACE + RFA group vs 49 months in the resection group). The probabilities of overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in the TACE + RFA group (100%, 94.8%, and 64.6%, respectively) were similar (P = .788) to those in the resection group (92.5%, 82.7%, and 76.9%, respectively). Two major RFA‐related complications were observed (1.5%).

CONCLUSIONS:

RFA combined with TACE is an efficient and safe treatment that provides overall survival rates similar to those achieved with surgical resection. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma inconspicuous on conventional ultrasound

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma inconspicuous on conventional US.

Materials and methods: From March 2006 to February 2010, 107 patients (93 male, 14 female; mean age 58.9?±?11.0 years) with 107 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules (mean maximum diameter 19.5?±?8.5?mm) inconspicuous on conventional US underwent microwave (MW) ablation under CEUS guidance in this study. US contrast agent was SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy), a second-generation contrast agent. CEUS was performed first, and then MW ablation was carried out by means of CEUS guidance under unconscious intravenous anaesthesia if the tumours were displayed on CEUS.

Results: 105 tumours were successfully visualised on CEUS by using 1–2 times contrast agent injection and MW ablation was performed under CEUS guidance. The technical success rate was 98.13% (105/107). The number of antenna insertions for each tumour was 1.89?±?0.92, and the mean session of MW ablation for each tumour was 1.08?±?0.28. The mean duration of energy application for each tumour was 7.05?±?4.03?min. The follow-up time was 12–54 months (median 18 months). The technique effectiveness rate was 99.05% (104/105). The local tumour progression rate was 1.9% (2/105). There were no severe complications in any patients.

Conclusion: CEUS-guided MW ablation is an efficient and feasible treatment method for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma inconspicuous on conventional US.     

小肝癌合并脾功能亢进的微创治疗的方法探讨

背景与目的：肝癌切除、脾切除是目前治疗肝癌合并脾功能亢进的主要手段,但传统开腹手术创伤大。本研究探讨肝癌射频消融(radiofrequency ablation,RFA)联合腹腔镜脾切除(laparoscopic splenectomy,LS)治疗小肝癌合并脾功能亢进的安全性及可行性。方法：27例肝癌(直径＜3 cm)合并脾功能亢进患者,在全麻下行RFA及LS,分析其临床资料。结果：中转开腹脾切除1例,中转为手助腹腔镜脾切除2例,RFA治疗肝脏肿瘤31个。术中出血量110~900 mL,中位出血量320 mL,手术时间72~127 min,中位手术时间107 min;腹壁皮下广泛气肿1例,术后2 d吸收;术后胰漏1例,经保守治疗治愈;术后腹腔大出血1例,再次开腹手术止血,恢复良好;腹水9例,经补充白蛋白和利尿等治疗,腹水消退;无死亡病例。结论：经选择的病例,RFA联合LS治疗小肝癌合并脾功能亢进微创、安全、可行。     

Combination of radiofrequency ablation and sequential cellular immunotherapy improves progression‐free survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurs frequently after minimally invasive therapy. The aim of our study was to observe the efficiency and safety of the combined treatment of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with cellular immunotherapy (CIT) for HCC patients. In our study, 62 patients with HCC who were treated with radical RFA were divided into two groups: RFA alone (32 patients) and RFA/CIT (30 patients). Autologous mononuclear cells were collected from the peripheral blood and separated by apheresis, and then induced into natural killer (NK) cells, γδT cells and cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells. These cells were identified by flow cytometry with their specific antibodies and then were infused intravenously to RFA/CIT patients for three or six courses. The tumor recurrent status of these patients was evaluated with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging every 3 months after RFA. Progression‐free survival (PFS), liver function, viral load and adverse effects were examined. The results implied that PFS was higher in RFA/CIT group than that in RFA group. In RFA/CIT group, six courses had better survival prognosis than three courses. Viral load of hepatitis C was decreased in two of three patients without antiviral therapy in RFA/CIT group, but was increased in RFA group. No significant adverse reaction was found in the patients with CIT. In summary, these preliminary results suggest that combination of sequential CIT with RFA for HCC patients was efficient and safe, and may be helpful in the prevention of the recurrence for the patients with HCC after RFA.     

射频消融联合肝动脉栓塞化疗治疗原发性肝癌的系统评价

目的:系统评价射频消融(RFA)联合肝动脉栓塞化疗(TACE)治疗原发性肝癌(hepatocellular carci-noma,HCC)的临床疗效。方法:计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、中国知网数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、中文科技期刊全文数据库,检索时间从数据库建库至2011年12月20日,同时辅助其它检索,纳入RFA联合TACE治疗HCC的临床对照试验。评价纳入研究的质量并提取资料,并用RevMan 5.1软件进行统计分析。结果:共纳入14篇临床对照试验,分析结果显示:与单纯TACE相比,TACE联合RFA能提高HCC治疗的有效率(RR=1.21,95%CI:1.13-1.31,P<0.001)和肿瘤完全坏死率(RR=1.95,95%CI:1.22-3.10,P=0.005),提高AFP转阴率(RR=2.13,95%CI:1.04-4.38,P=0.04)及患者1年(RR=1.38,95%CI:1.18-1.60,P<0.0001)、2年(RR=1.6 6,9 5%CI:1.3 9-1.9 9,P<0.0 0 0 0 1)、3年(RR=2.11,95%CI:1.57-2.84,P<0.00001)生存率,降低癌症复发率(RR=0.55,95%CI:0.33-0.91,P=0.02)。结论:TACE联合RFA可提高HCC治疗有效率和生存率,降低复发率,值得临床推广使用。