Risk factors for the local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after single-session percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with a single electrode insertion

Abstract

Abstract. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a new local therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the risk factors associated with local recurrence of HCC after single-session RFA with a single electrode insertion. From April 2003 to December 2007, we treated 138 HCC lesions by single-session RFA with a single electrode insertion using the Cool-tip RFA, RTC 2000 and RTC 3000 Systems. Risk factors for the local recurrence of these lesions and complications after RFA were analyzed. The mean size of the 138 lesions was 16.9±5.4 mm in diameter (range 7-33 mm). Local recurrence rates were 6.6 and 22.0% at 1 and 2 years, respectively, during the mean follow-up period of 16.4 months. Univariate analysis showed that tumor diameter (≥20 mm), tumor location, pre-treatment AFP-L3 fraction level and ablation pattern were significant variables. Multivariate analysis of these four variables identified only the tumor diameter as an independent risk factor for local recurrence. Complications occurred in 2.2% of the lesions (3/138). Single-session RFA is an effective treatment for HCC in that it reduces serious complications. This study demonstrated that a tumor size ≥20 mm influenced the local recurrence of single-session RFA with a single electrode insertion.

Prognostic Role of Pre-Treatment Serum AFP-L3% in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…For the study that only provided the detailed data about RFA on OS and DFS we used only the relevant information in our meta-analysis [19]. Among the 15 studies, one was performed in China [7], one in Korea [6], twelve in Japan [8]–[10], [17]–[24], [26] and one in America [25]; three prospective studies [9], [21], [23], five retrospective studies [8], [17], [18], [24], [25], and seven included studies in which study design was not reported clearly. The basic feature description of the studies was summarized in Table 1.…”

Evaluation of local recurrence after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma by contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid: Comparison with dynamic computed tomography

“…23,28,29 However, some hypervascular lesions may be imaged as hypovascular by dynamic CT due to various factors including the timing of imaging, cardiac output, and portal hemodynamics. Disadvantages of dynamic CT include radiation exposure and the risk of allergy to iodine.…”

“…23 RFA systems used in this study were the RTC 2000 and 3000 Systems (Boston Scientific Inc., Natick, MA) and the Cool-tip RFA System (Covidien, Boulder, CO). All patients underwent USguided RFA.…”

Recurrence predictive models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation using support vector machines with feature selection methods

“…In the previous reports, these factors are also important factors in determining recurrence of HCC after treatment, including RFA. For tumor local recurrence after RFA treatment, tumor size >2.5 cm and tumor size are identified as the main risk factor in Lam's study and Shiozawa's study, respectively [27,28]. Regarding to the recurrence after long term follow-up, tumor with diameter bigger than 3 cm, located near the intrahepatic blood vessels, sub-capsular locations and prothrombin time more than 3 s are independent risk factors in Yang's study [29].…”

“…Recently, numerous studies have been proposed for analyzing the risk factors that affect the prognosis after RFA for the patients with HCC [25,[27][28][29]. Different risk factors were identified in different studies and no conclusive results or presumptive predictive models were established.…”