Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hepatic Resection For Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA) and hepatic resection(RES) as an initial treatment for patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:We carried out a retrospective study of22cases of HCC treated by PRFA in Sir Run Run Shaw hospital from August2002to December2012comparing with25cases of HCC treated by RES in the same period.The days of postoperative hospitalization,complications,liver function changes,disease-free and overall survival rate were followed up and evaluated.Results:The l-,2-,and3-year disease-free survival rates were77%,58%,47%in the PRFA group and were88%,76%,55%in the RES group(P=0.280).The1-,2-,and3-year overall survival rates were95%,72%,62%in the PRFA group and were96%,92%,75%in the RES group(P=0.387).The days of postoperative hospitalization were6.40±5.30in the PRFA group and were11.1±4.17in the RES group(P=0.003). The ALT changes were46.7±44.7u/l in the PRFA group and were113.1±90.6u/l in the RES group(P=0.004).Conclusion:For small hepatocarcinoma eligibled for Milan criterion,PRFA and RES both have a good curative effect.But PRFA is less invasive,less complication and shorter length of hospital stay.PRFA provides an alternative for the treatment of hepatocellar carcinoma...