Radiofrequency ablation during continuous saline infusion can extend ablation margins

AIM:To determine whether fluid injection during radiofrequency ablation(RFA) can increase the coagulation area.METHODS:Bovine liver(1-2 kg) was placed on an aluminum tray with a return electrode affixed to the base,and the liver was punctured by an expandable electrode.During RFA,5% glucose;50% glucose;or saline fluid was infused continuously at a rate of 1.0 mL/min through the infusion line connected to the infusion port.The area and volume of the thermocoagulated region of bovine liver were determined after RFA.The Joule heat generated was determined from the temporal change in output during the RFA experiment.RESULTS:No liquid infusion was 17.3 ± 1.6 mL,similar to the volume of a 3-cm diameter sphere(14.1 mL).Mean thermocoagulated volume was significantly larger with continuous infusion of saline(29.3 ± 3.3 mL) than with 5% glucose(21.4 ± 2.2 mL),50%glucose(16.5 ± 0.9 mL) or no liquid infusion(17.3 ± 1.6 mL).The ablated volume for RFA with saline was approximately 1.7-times greater than for RFA with no liquid infusion,representing a significant difference between these two conditions.Total Joule heat generated during RFA was highest with saline,and lowest with 50% glucose.CONCLUSION:RFA with continuous saline infusion achieves a large ablation zone,and may help inhibit local recurrence by obtaining sufficient ablation margins.RFA during continuous saline infusion can extend ablation margins,and may be prevent local recurrence.     

Effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM： To evaluate the effects of four types of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） on angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） ceils. METHODS： A total of 136 patients with HCC underwent liver resection. One to five courses of TACE prior to liver resection were performed in 79 patients （TACE group）, in which one to four courses of chemotherapy alone were performed in 11 patients （group A）; one to five courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil were performed in 33 patients （group B）; one to three courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil and gelatin sponge were performed in 23 patients （group C）, one to three courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil, ethanol and gelatin sponge were performed in 12 patients （group D）. The other 57 patients only received liver resection （non-TACE group）. The microvessels were marked by CD31. The expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） protein were detected by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS： The mean microvessel density （MVD） in HCC cells was significantly higher in groups A, B, C and D than in the nonACE group （P 〈 0.05）. The expression of VEGF protein in HCC cells were significantly higher in groups A, B, C and D than in the non-TACE group （P 〈 0.05）. MVD and the expression of VEGF protein were positively correlated. Mean MVD and the expression of VEGF protein were closely related to the number of courses of TACE and the interval of TACE. CONCLUSION： Four different types of preoperative TACE regimens enhanced angiogenesis in HCC cells by up-regulating the expression of VEGF protein. It is necessary to repress angiogenesis of liver cancer after TACE.     

Needle track seeding： a real hazard after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastasis

Neoplastic needle track seeding following percutaneous radiofrequency ablation （RFA） of secondary liver tumors is exceedingly rare. Reports on cutaneous tumor seeding after percutaneous RFA for colorectal liver metastasis are even rarer in the literature. Here we report a case of a 46-year-old female who developed an ulcerating skin lesion along the needle track of a previous percutaneous RFA site around 6 mo after the procedure. The previous RFA was performed by the LeVeen~ needle for a secondary liver tumor from a primary rectal cancer. The diagnosis of secondary skin metastasis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology. The lesion was successfully treated with wide local excision. We believe that tumor seeding ＂after percutaneous RFA in our patient was possibly related to its unfavorable subcapsular location and the use of an expansion-type needle. Hence, prophylactic ablation of the needle track should be performed whenever possible. Otherwise, alternative routes of tumor ablation such as laparoscopic or open RFA should be considered.     

Effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM To evaluate the effect of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.METHODS A total of 136 patients with HCC underwent liver resection. Of 136 patients, 79 patients received 1 to 5 courses of TACE prior to liver resection (TACE group),who were further subdivided into four groups Group A (n = 11) who received 1 to 4 courses of chemotherapy alone; Group B (n = 33) who received 1 to 5 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil; Group C (n = 23) who received 1 to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil and gelatin sponge; and Group D (n = 12) who received 1 to 3 courses of chemotherapy combined with iodized oil, ethanol and gelatin sponge.The other 57 patients only received liver resection (nonTACE group). The expressions of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein were detected in the liver cancer tissues by immunohistochemical method.RESULTS The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group (31.35% ± 10.85% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%,30.93% ± 18.10% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, respectively, P ＜ 0.05). The PCNA protein expression was significantly lower in Groups C and D as compared with non-TACE group (49.61% ± 15.11% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 41.16% ± 11.83% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P ＜ 0.05).The Ki-67 protein expression was significantly higher in Group A as compared with non-TACE group (55.44% ± 13.72% vs 44.43% ± 20.70%, P ＜ 0.05). The PCNA protein expression was significantly higher in Groups A and B as compared with non-TACE group (72.22% ± 8.71% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, 69.91% ± 13.38% vs 62.92% ± 17.21%, respectively, P ＜0.05).CONCLUSION Preoperative multi-material TACE suppresses the proliferation of HCC cells, while a single material embolization and chemotherapy alone enhance the proliferation of HCC cells.     

Photodynamic therapy vs radiofrequency ablation for Barrett’s dysplasia: Efficacy,safety and cost-comparison

AIM:To compare effectiveness,safety,and cost of photodynamic therapy(PDT)and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in treatment of Barrett’s dysplasia(BD).METHODS:Consecutive case series of patients undergoing either PDT or RFA treatment at single center by a single investigator were compared.Thirty-three patients with high-grade dysplasia(HGD)had treatment with porfimer sodium photosensitzer and 630 nm laser(130 J/cm),with maximum of 3 treatment sessions.Fifty-three patients with BD(47 with low-grade dysplasia-LGD,6 with HGD)had step-wise circumferential and focal ablation using the HALO system with maximum of 4 treatment sessions.Both groups received proton pump inhibitors twice daily.Endoscopic biopsies were acquired at 2 and 12 mo after enrollment,with 4-quadrant biopsies every 1 cm of the original BE extent.A complete histological resolution response of BD(CR-D)was defined as all biopsies at the last endoscopy session negative for BD.Fisher’s exact test was used to assess differences between the two study groups for primary outcomes.For all outcomes,a two-sided P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS:Thirty(91%)PDT patients and 39(74%)RFA were men(P=0.05).The mean age was 70.7±12.2 and 65.4±12.7(P=0.10)year and mean length of BE was 5.4±3.2 cm and 5.7±3.2 cm(P=0.53)for PDT and RFA patients,respectively.The CR-D was(18/33)54.5%with PDT vs(47/53)88.7%with RFA(P=0.001).One patient with PDT had an esophageal perforation and was managed with non-surgical measures and no perforation was seen with RFA.PDT was five times more costly than RFA at our institution.The two groups were not randomized and had different BD grading are the limitations of the study.CONCLUSION:In our experience,RFA had higher rate of CR-D without any serious adverse events and was less costly than PDT for endoscopic treatment of BD.     

Treatment of hepatic cysts by B-ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation

BACKGROUND:The traditional therapy for hepatic cysts has limited success because of recrudescence. Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)has become popular because of its advantages including little damage,therapeutic effect and reduced suffering.This report describes the effects and reliability of RFA in the treatment of 29 patients with hepatic cysts. METHODS:B-ultrasound-guided RFA was used to treat hepatic mono-cyst or multi-cysts of 29 patients(63 tumors). Ablative efficiency and complications were assessed by imaging and clinical symptoms. RESULTS:The tumors were abated completely in 34 cysts with a diameter<5 cm and no recurrence was seen after 3 months.In 21 cysts with a diameter of 5-10 cm,tumor volume was decreased by over 70%,then reduction and fiberosis were found.In 8 cysts with a diameter greater than 10 cm,tumor volume was decreased by more than 60%,and in 2 cysts it was increased more slightly than that at 1 month after RFA.In subsequent follow-up(6 and 12 months after RFA),tumors<10 cm in diameter were fully ablated.No significant discomfort and complications were found in any patient. CONCLUSION:RFA for the treatment of hepatic cysts is safe,and free from complications.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical study of long-term survival and choice of treatment modalities

AIM: To analyze the prognostic factors of 5-year survival and 10-year survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and to explore the reasons for longterm survival and provide choice of treatment modalities for HCC patients. METHODS: From January 1990 to October 2012, 8450 HCC patients were included in a prospective database compiled by the Information Center after hospital admission. Long-term surviving patients were included in a 10-year survival group (520 patients) and a 5-year survival group (1516 patients) for analysis. The long-term survival of HCC patients was defined as the survival of 5 years or longer. Clinical and biologic variables were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. The survival of patients was evaluated by follow-up data. RESULTS: The long-term survival of HCC patients was associated with the number of lesions, liver cirrhosis and Child-Pugh classification. It was not found to be associated with tumor diameter, histological stage, and pretreatment level of serum α-fetoprotein. The differences in clinical factors between the 5-year survival and the 10-year survival were found to be the number of lesions, liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification, and time elapsed until first recurrence or metastasis. The survival period of different treatment modalities in the patients who survived for 5 years and 10 years showed significant differences: (in order of significance) surgery alone > surgery-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) > TACE-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) > TACE alone > surgery-TACE-RFA. The 10-year survival of HCC patients was not associated with the choice of treatment modality.CONCLUSION: This retrospective study elucidated survival outcomes, prognostic factors affecting survival and treatment modalities in HCC patients.     

Major complications after radiofrequency ablation for liver tumors： Analysis of 255 patients

AIM： To investigate the major complications after radiofrequency ablation （RFA） for the treatment of liver tumors and analyze possible risk factors that precipitate these complications.
METHODS： From March 2001 to April 2008, 255 patients with liver tumors （205 male, 50 female; age range, 18-89 years; mean age, 56.0 years） who received RFA were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 212 had hepatocellular carcinoma, 39 had metastatic liver tumors and four had cholangiocellular carcinoma. One hundred and forty eight patients had a single tumor, and 107 had multiple tumors. Maximum diameter of the tumors ranged 1.3-20 cm （mean, 5.1 cm）. All patients were treated with a cooledtip perfusion electrode attached to a radiofrequency generator （Radionics, Burlington, MA, USA）. RFA was performed via the percutaneous approach （n = 257）, laparoscopy （n = 7）, or open surgical treatment （n = 86）. The major complications related to RFA were recorded. The resultant data were analyzed to determine risk factors associated these complications.
RESULTS： Among the 255 patients, 425 liver tumors were treated and 350 RFA sessions were performed. Thirty-seven （10%） major complications were observed which included 13 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of hydrothorax requiring drainage, three cases of tumor seeding, one case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, one case of intrahepatic abscess, one case of bile duct injury, one case of cardiac arrest, and five cases of hyperglycemia. Seven patients had more than two complications. Liver failure was the most severe complication and was associated with the highest mortality. Eleven patients died due to worsening liver decompensation. Child-Pugh classification （P = 0.001） and choice of approach （P = 0.045） were related to post-treatment liver failure, whereas patient age, tumor size and number were not significant factors precipitating this complication.
CONCLUSION： RFA can be accepted as a relatively safe procedure for the treatment of liver tumors. However, attention should be paid to possible complications even though the incidences of these complications are rare. Careful patient selection and the best approach choice （percutaneous, laparoscopy, or laparotomy） will help to minimize the incidence and morbidity rate of complications which occur after RFA.     

Risk factors for deterioration of long-term liver function after radiofrequency ablation therapy

AIM:To identify factors that influence long-term liver function following radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in patients with viral hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS:A total of 123 patients with hepatitis B virus-or hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)(n=12 and n=111,respectively)were enrolled.Cumulative rates of worsening Child-Pugh(CP)scores(defined as a 2-point increase)were examined.RESULTS:CP score worsening was confirmed in 22patients over a mean follow-up period of 43.8±26.3mo.Multivariate analysis identified CP class,platelet count,and aspartate aminotransferase levels as significant predictors of a worsening CP score(P=0.000,P=0.011 and P=0.024,respectively).In contrast,repeated RFA was not identified as a risk factor for liver function deterioration.CONCLUSION:Long-term liver function following RFA was dependent on liver functional reserve,the degreeof fibrosis present,and the activity of the hepatitis condition for this cohort.Therefore,in order to maintain liver function for an extended period following RFA,suppression of viral hepatitis activity is important even after the treatment of HCC.     

Comparison between combination therapy of percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation and radiofrequency ablation alone for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

ABM: In the present study, the characteristics of PEI-RFA treatment were further elucidated by analyzing the relationship between the volume of coagulated necrosis and the energy requirement for ablation or the amount of ethanol injected into HCC. METHODS: The volume of coagulated necrosis, total energy requirement and energy requirement for coagulation of per unit volume were examined in the groups of PEI-RFA and RFA alone using the Cool-tip RF system. RESULTS: The results showed that the volume of coagulated necrosis induced was significantly larger in PEI-RFA group than in routine RFA group, when the total energy administered was comparable in both groups. In PEI-RFA, enlargement of coagulated necrosis was admitted in 3 dimensions and the amount of energy requirement per unit volume of coagulated necrosis was negatively correlated with the amount of ethanol injected into HCC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, compared to RFA alone, PEI-RFA enables to induce comparable coagulated necrosis with smaller energy requirement, and that PEI-RFA is likely to be less invasive than RFA alone irrespective of inducing enhanced coagulated necrosis. Thus, simple prior injection of ethanol may make RFA treatment more effective and less invasive for the treatment of patients with HCC.     

Radiofrequency ablation combined with reduction of hepatic blood flow: effect of Lipiodol on coagulation diameter and ablation time in normal pig liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) ablation combined with transarterial embolization using Lipiodol and gelatin sponge. METHODOLOGY: A total of 18 normal pig liver lobes were randomly assigned to the following three different RF ablation groups, 1) combined with TAE using Lipiodol and gelatin sponge as "LpTAE group"; 2) combined with TAE using gelatin sponge only as "TAE group"; 3) ablation alone as "control group". Ablations were performed under open laparotomy using an RF generator and a 2-cm expandable needle. The diameter of coagulation and the ablation time were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: The characteristic shape of coagulated area differed among the three groups. The long-axis diameter showed no significant difference among the three groups (27.5mm, 27.5mm, 26.7mm; respectively), while the short-axis diameter was significantly larger in the LpTAE group compared with the control groups (25.2mm vs. 20.5mm; p < 0.05). The total ablation time was significantly shorter in the LpTAE and TAE groups compared with the control group (166, 204 seconds vs. 309 seconds; p = 0.001, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RF ablation combined with LpTAE produced larger and more spherical areas of coagulation in a shorter ablation time. Such an advantage could potentially enhance the clinical effectiveness of RF ablation.     

Primary closed cooled tip ablation of typical atrial flutter in comparison to conventional radiofrequency ablation.

The purpose of this prospective, non-randomized study was to investigate the effectiveness of cooled radiofrequency ablation (cRFA) compared with conventional radio-frequency application (RFA) for ablation of typical atrial flutter (AF). Methods Isthmus ablation was carried out using a system with a circulating fluid path through the ablation tip to control tip temperature in 100 patients with AF. Thirty consecutive AF patients underwent conventional RFA. The number of applications for cRFA was 13.7 +/- 6.9 and for RFA 24.0 +/- 14-5 (P<0.0007) at powers between 35 and 50 W and a tip temperature range of 38-43 degrees C. Ablation duration and fluoroscopy time were 9-9 +/- 4.9 and 22-8 +/- 10.7 min for cRFA, respectively. In contrast, for RFA, ablation duration and fluoroscopy time were 20-6 +/- 14.2 (P<0.0001) and 27.4 +/- 12.7 min, respectively. In 93% of the cooled tip group and in 80% of the control group bi-directional block was confirmed. At 6-months follow-up, recurrence rates were 9 in the cooled-tip group and 7 in the control group, corresponding 10.4% and 25.9%. There were no significant complications. Compared with RFA, cRFA requires lower application numbers. Recurrence rates are low and the overall success rate is high.     

Evaluation of transcatheter arterial embolization prior to percutaneous tumor ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) may reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence when performed before percutaneous tumor ablation (PTA), either percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). We conducted a randomized, controlled trial comparing the use of TAE combined with percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (TAE/PEIT) to the use of PEIT only to assess the effects on HCC recurrence and survival. We continued the study after the introduction of RFA and compared TAE combined with RFA (TAE/RFA) with RFA only. METHODS: Between March 1997 and April 2001, 42 HCC patients were enrolled who satisfied the following inclusion criteria: (1) uninodular HCC as determined by angiography under computed tomography, (2) arterial hypervascularity, and (3) no prior history of HCC treatment. Twenty-two patients were treated with TAE/PTA (PEIT, 12; RFA, 10) and 20 patients with PTA only (PEIT, 14; RFA, 6). RESULTS: There were four cases of local recurrence in the PTA-only group and none in the TAE/PTA group (P=0.043). The four patients with local recurrence were treated with PEIT. None of the patients treated with RFA showed local recurrence. The effect of TAE on overall recurrence was not significant (P=0.4179). In the multivariate analysis, prior TAE was not significant for survival (P=0.514). CONCLUSIONS: TAE has a limited use in suppressing local recurrence when performed before PEIT but not before RFA.     

血液抽吸联合射频消融治疗肝血管瘤患者疗效研究

目的 观察比较血液抽吸联合射频消融(RFA)与肝动脉插管栓塞(TAE)治疗肝血管瘤(HCH)患者的疗效。方法 2018年10月～2020年10月我科收治的102例HCH患者,其中56例接受TAE治疗,另46例接受血液抽吸联合RFA治疗。随访3个月。结果 TAE组手术时间、术中出血量和住院日分别为(49.2±14.6)min、(13.4±3.7)mL和(3.4±1.6)d,而血液抽吸联合RFA治疗组分别为(57.5±18.9)min、(7.5±1.9)mL和(1.5±0.5)d,差异显著(P<0.05);在术后即刻和术后3个月,TAE治疗组瘤体容积分别为(49.2±22.5)mL和(31.4±15.7)mL,与RFA治疗的(49.1±22.3)mL和(31.2±15.5)mL比,无显著性差异(P>0.05),两组瘤体缩小率比较,也无显著性差异(P>0.05);术后,TAE组并发症发生率为17.9%,显著高于血液抽吸联合RFA治疗组的6.5%(P<0.05)。结论 采用血液抽吸联合RFA治疗HCH患者能够减少术中出血和术后并发症的发生,但两组方法治疗效果相当。     

Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: experience with open and percutaneous approach.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a thermal coagulation technique, has been used for ablation of primary and secondary liver tumors. METHODS: Over a 24-month period, 41 patients, including 20 with hepatocellular cancer (HCC), 14 with liver metastases from colorectal tumors and 7 with metastases from other tumors, underwent RFA in our institution. Ablation was done using intra-operative (n=27) or percutaneous ultrasonographic (n=14) guidance. A zone of ablation larger than the size of the lesion on CT scan indicated successful RFA. RESULTS: The mean size of lesions was 4.9 cm for HCC and 3.1 cm for metastases. Among 20 patients with HCC, 16 had complete tumor ablation and one had failure of localization. All patients with liver metastases had successful tumor ablation. There was no procedure-related death. Two patients had hemoperitoneum and one experienced skin burn. During a median follow up of 16 months, five patients with HCC and two with colorectal metastases died. One patient had tumor recurrence at the ablation site and two developed fresh solitary metastatic lesions; all three are disease-free after repeat ablation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is a safe and promising technique for the treatment of non-resectable HCC and liver metastases, in the short term.     

Evaluation of liver parenchymal pressure and portal endothelium damage during radio frequency ablation in an in vivo porcine model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We previously developed a multi-step, incremental expansion method (multi-step method) for radio frequency ablation (RFA) in vitro, which prevented increases in pressure and reduced the ablation time as compared with other methods. In this study, we evaluated liver parenchymal pressure and portal endothelium damage during RFA with different devices and protocols in an in vivo porcine model. METHOD: Nine healthy female pigs were anaesthetized. RFA was performed with two different devices and protocols; one involved the use of a LeVeen needle with a single-step full expansion method or a multi-step method, and the other used a cool-tip needle with 40 or 60 W power. We measured the pressure in the liver parenchyma and the gallbladder during RFA. We also evaluated portal endothelium damage by NADH staining. RESULTS: The multi-step method with the LeVeen electrode resulted in the lowest parenchymal and intra-gallbladder pressures (multi-step method相似文献   

Cooled needle catheter ablation creates deeper and wider lesions than irrigated tip catheter ablation

OBJECTIVES: To design and test a catheter that could create deeper ablation lesions. BACKGROUND: Endocardial radiofrequency (RF) ablation is unable to reliably create transmural ventricular lesions. We designed an intramural needle ablation catheter with an internally cooled 1.1-mm diameter straight needle that could be advanced up to 14 mm into the myocardium. The prototype catheter was compared with an irrigated tip ablation catheter. METHODS: Ablation lesions were created under general anesthesia in 14 male sheep (weight 44 +/- 7.3 kg) with fluoroscopic guidance. Each of the catheters was used to create two ablation lesions at randomly allocated positions within the left ventricle. The irrigation rate, target temperature, and maximum power were: 20 mL/min, 85 degrees C, 50 W for the intramural needle catheter and 20 mL/min, 50 degrees C, 50 W for the irrigated tip catheter, respectively. All ablations were performed for 2 minutes. After the last ablation, blue tetrazolium (12.5 mg/kg) was infused intravenously. The heart was removed via a left thoracotomy after monitoring the sheep for one hour. RESULTS: There was no evidence of cardiac tamponade in any sheep. The intramural needle catheter lesions were significantly wider (10.9 +/- 2.8 mm vs 10.1 +/- 2.4 mm, P = 0.01), deeper (9.6 +/- 2.0 mm vs 7.0 +/- 1.3 mm, P = 0.01), and more likely to be transmural (38% vs 0%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Cooled intramural needle ablation creates lesions that are significantly deeper and wider than endocardial RF ablation using an irrigated tip catheter in sheep hearts. This technology may be useful in treating ventricular tachycardia resistant to conventional ablation techniques.     

Changes in liver function parameters after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To evaluate changes in liver function parameters and risk factors 1 year after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Subjects in this retrospective study comprised 45 patients with HCC who underwent RFA therapy (RFA alone, n = 25; transcatheter arterial embolization therapy before RFA, n = 20) and showed no recurrence of HCC 1 year after RFA. Serial changes in serum total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time and Child–Pugh score (CPs) were evaluated before and after RFA. In addition, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to clarify risk factors for aggravation of liver function after RFA therapy. Results: Serum albumin levels showed a significant decrease from before (3.6 ± 0.4 g/dL) to 12 months after RFA therapy (3.2 ± 0.4 g/dL; P ≤ 0.05). CPs was significantly increased from before (6.4 ± 1.4) to both 6 months (6.8 ± 1.9; P ≤ 0.05) and 12 months after RFA (6.9 ± 2.0; P ≤ 0.05). Based on stepwise multivariate analysis, CPs of 9 or more before RFA was selected as a significant risk factor for long‐term aggravation of liver function after RFA. Conclusion: Liver function parameters, particularly serum albumin level, gradually and dominantly decreased in HCC patients with grade B and C according to the CPs classification over the course of 1 year after RFA therapy. A CPs of 9 or more represents a major risk factor for the aggravation of liver function after RFA therapy.