We evaluated the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy for 60 patients with 94 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules of equal to or less than 3 cm in diameter and 42 patients with 45 HCC nodules of larger than 3 cm in diameter. HCC nodules of equal to or less than 3 cm were treated with RFA alone. In these patients, the 5-year local recurrence rates were 8.6%, and the 5-year survival rates were 62%. Of 45 patients with HCC nodules of larger than 3 cm, 21 were treated with RFA alone, 16 were treated with a combination of RFA and chemoembolization (TAE), and 7 were treated with a combination of RFA and occlusion of both hepatic artery and portal vein. In the RFA alone, the 5-year local recurrence rates were 29%, and the 5-year survival rates were 61%. In the combination of RFA and TAE, the 5-year local recurrence rates were 27%, and the 5-year survival rates were 42%. In the combination of RFA and occlusion of both hepatic artery and portal vein, the 5-year local recurrence rates were 14%, and the 5-year survival rates were 71%. These treatment results were the same class or more in comparison with treatment results of a No. 17 follow-up survey report by Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan. Our experience suggests that RFA alone is effective in the treatment of HCC nodules equal to or less than 3 cm, and RFA with occlusion of blood flow is effective for HCC nodules of larger than 3 cm.

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