Comparative study on effect of radiofrequency ablation and operation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To comparison between radiofrequency ablation introduced by tri-dimension reconstruction and ultrasound and operation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods 94 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma from Jan 2009 to Mar 25 in Shanxi Cancer Hospital were analyzed. 45 patients were both given CT examination to rebuild tri-dimension and radiofrequency ablation treatment. 49 patients were given excision. Both groups were given CT examination to rebuild tri-dimension before the treatment. The differences in recurrence rate, overall survival and complication ratio between the two groups were compared. Results After 1, 2 and 3 years radiofrequency ablation treatment, the survival rate in radiofrequency ablation group were 95.56 % (43/45), 86.67 % (39/45), 60.00 % (27/45) respectively, comparing with 93.88 % (46/49), 79.60 % (39/49), 59.20 % (29/49) in operation group. The difference was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). There was no statistical significance in 1-year, 2-year and 3-year recurrence rates between the two groups (P> 0.05). There were statistical significances in incidence of post-treatment pains [13.33 % (6/45) vs 100.00 % (49/49), χ2 = 60.416, P< 0.05] and complication (P< 0.05) between the two groups. By Mar 25th, 2015, there was no needle tract implantation in the patients with radiofrequency ablation treatment. Conclusions For the small hepatocellular carcinoma with less than 3cm in diameter, introduced by CT tri-dimension image reconstruction and ultrasound, the radiofrequency ablation treatment excels in effect with fewer damages, infective complications, lower cost and can be applied many times. The overall effect is close to surgical removal, and therefore it can be used as the first line therapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Radiofrequency ablation; Surgical procedures, operative