Long-Term Effects of Repeat Hepatectomy vs. Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Cancer

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an acceptable alternative to surgery to treat small hepatocellular cancer (HCCs). However, the role of RFA in recurrent HCC is less well-defined.

Investigators from China now report results of a multicenter, open-label, randomized phase III trial in patients who had recurrent HCC with either solitary recurrence ≤5 cm in diameter or 3 or fewer nodules ≤3 cm in diameter after prior partial hepatectomy for HCC. Patients were assigned to undergo repeat hepatectomy or RFA. Of 240 patients randomized, the median age was 50 to 52 years, 89% to 91% were male, 76% to 82% had HCC related to hepatitis B, 78% to 83% had multiple tumors, and 63% to 68% had lesions ≤5 cm.

Overall survival (OS; the primary endpoint) was not …