GOALS: To compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection in a group of patients with a Child-Pugh score of 5 and a single HCC less than 4 cm in diameter. BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a popular method for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been applied as an alternative primary therapy to surgical resection. STUDY: We compared outcomes for 148 patients treated with RFA (n = 55) and those treated surgically (n = 93). RESULTS: The rate of local recurrence among patients in the RFA group was significantly higher than in the surgery group (P = 0.005), while the incidence of remote recurrence was similar between the two groups (P = 0.30). The cumulative 1- and 3-year overall survival rates (P = 0.24) and the cumulative 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates (P = 0.54) were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher rate of local recurrence, RFA was found to be as effective as surgical resection for the treatment of single small HCC in patients with well-preserved liver function, in terms of the incidence of remote recurrence and the patients' likelihood of achieving overall and/or recurrence-free survival.
GOALS: To compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgical resection in a group of patients with a Child-Pugh score of 5 and a single HCC less than 4 cm in diameter. BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become a popular method for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been applied as an alternative primary therapy to surgical resection. STUDY: We compared outcomes for 148 patients treated with RFA (n = 55) and those treated surgically (n = 93). RESULTS: The rate of local recurrence among patients in the RFA group was significantly higher than in the surgery group (P = 0.005), while the incidence of remote recurrence was similar between the two groups (P = 0.30). The cumulative 1- and 3-year overall survival rates (P = 0.24) and the cumulative 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates (P = 0.54) were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher rate of local recurrence, RFA was found to be as effective as surgical resection for the treatment of single small HCC in patients with well-preserved liver function, in terms of the incidence of remote recurrence and the patients' likelihood of achieving overall and/or recurrence-free survival.
Authors: Wei-Xing Guo; Bo Zhai; Eric C H Lai; Nan Li; Jie Shi; Wan-Yee Lau; Meng-Chao Wu; Shu-Qun Cheng Journal: World J Surg Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Gianpiero Gravante; John Overton; Roberto Sorge; Neil Bhardwaj; Matthew S Metcalfe; David M Lloyd; Ashley R Dennison Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 3.452