Local Recurrence after Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Treatment Choice and Outcome

Abstract Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has high efficacy for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is expected as an accepted alternative to radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, SBRT for HCC may cause subacute liver injury leading to negative clinical outcomes. In this study, we compared changes of liver function and prognosis after SBRT or RFA in patients with single, small HCC by using a propensity-score matching analysis.Methods: We reviewed medical records of 140 patients with single ≤3 cm HCC treated with SBRT or RFA at Kurashiki Central Hospital between January 2014 and February 2019. Changes of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, local recurrence, and overall survival were compared between the propensity-score matched groups (31 patients treated with SBRT and 62 treated with RFA).Results: The ALBI score increased modestly but significantly after SBRT, while it was unchanged in the RFA group; the intergroup difference was statistically significant (p = 0.004). No local recurrence of tumor was identified in the SBRT group, whereas the cumulative recurrence incidence was 9.7% in the RFA group (p = 0.023). Overall survival was not significantly different between the two groups (hazard ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 0.60–2.89, p = 0.401).Conclusions: SBRT had modestly negative impact on liver function but better local control of HCC than did RFA. Although long-term follow-up of liver function is necessary with SBRT treatment especially in patients with impaired liver function, SBRT is a satisfactory alternative to RFA for treatment of single, small HCC.

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Prognostic Factors after Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Impact of Incomplete Ablation on Recurrence and Overall Survival Rates

Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases ◽

10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.274.pro ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 399-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Zeno Sparchez ◽

Tudor Mocan ◽

Pompilia Radu ◽

Lavinia Patricia Mocan ◽

Mihaela Sparchez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Radiofrequency Ablation ◽

Local Recurrence ◽

Histological Grade ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Distant Recurrence ◽

Ethanol Injection ◽

Pugh Class ◽

Poor Outcomes ◽

Long Term Impact

Aims: To report on the long-term impact of tumor and non-tumor related parameters on local recurrence, distant recurrence and survival in patients with naïve or recurrent type hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA).Methods: We performed 240 RFA sessions on 133 patients with 156 HCC nodules developed on a background of liver cirrhosis and analyzed the outcomes.Results: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound performed one month after RFA showed complete ablation in 119 out of 133 (89.65%) patients. With a median follow-up of 46 months, 3-, 5- and 7-year survival rates were 61.7%, 35.7%, and 22.6%, respectively. Previous ethanol injection and histological grade were significantly related to local tumor progression. Child-Pugh class, incomplete ablation, histological grade, previous ethanol injection, alpha-fetoprotein level before the treatment, and local recurrence were all significantly related to distant recurrence. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, Child-Pugh class, distant recurrence and multiple incomplete ablations were significantly related to survival.Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation could be locally curative for HCC, resulting in a survival longer than 7 years. Previous ethanol injection and incomplete ablations were strongly associated with poor outcomes.

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