The results of radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Abstract

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.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with simultaneous DynaCT-guided radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma

“…In recent years, RFA has become a common nonsurgical treatment besides TACE and its effectiveness has been confirmed in small HCCs, comparable to that of radical treatments (such as surgical intervention and liver transplantation). However, RFA cannot assure peripheral necrosis for large or irregular HCCs, which increases the risk for residual tumor, recurrence, and metastasis [ 16 ]. With the development of RFA instrumentation and imaging guidance equipment and the accumulation of clinical experience, RFA has been increasingly used in the treatment of large HCCs [ 17 ].…”