Treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma focusing on radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

Purpose : Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has made good local control possible. In this study, the efficacy of RFA is evaluated and predictive factors for distant recurrence are identified.
Methods : 135 patients with initial HCC were treated with combination of chemoembolization and real-time CT guided RFA.
Results : Recurrence rates after initial RFA were 5% at 2 y for local, and 41.4% at 2 y for distant. In HCV patients, significantly high recurrence rates were observed in cases with initial multi-occurrence, low albumin levels, high AST levels and low platelet counts. However, on multivariate analysis, low albumin levels and high AST levels were independent predictive factors for cumulative distant recurrence after RFA.
Conclusion : Although RFA enables good local control for initial HCC, distant recurrence is observed at high rates. Low albumin and high AST levels are predictive factors for distant recurrence.