[Prospective randomized trial of RFA and chemotherapy for unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical safety and effect on local recurrence in unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with and without chemotherapy through a prospective randomized trial.


METHODS
Thirty-eight unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma patients with diameter </= 3 cm were selected, of which 27 patients have been followed up for 1 year. Through a prospective randomized trial, 12 patients were in the RFA group and 15 patients in the RFA combined with systemic chemotherapy group. RFA was given image-guided. The regimen of systemic chemotherapy: EADM 50 mg on day 1, 3; CDDP 40 mg on day 1, 3 and FUDR 500 mg on day 1, 2, 3. After RFA treatment, liver function, WBC count and complications were observed on day 1, 4, 7; CT scan was performed in 1, 6, 12 months. The safety and local recurrence were analyzed.


RESULTS
There was no local recurrence of the tumor in the two groups 1 month after RFA treatment. The 6- and 12-month local recurrence rates were significantly lower in the combined group than that in RFA group alone (P < 0.01). There were no severe complications in the two groups, and nor was there any significant difference in liver function and WBC count.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA combined with systemic chemotherapy is safe, and it can reduce the local recurrence of unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma </= 3 cm in diameter.
Gan
Yu-Hong
YH
Department of, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Yie
Sheng-Long
SL
Ren
Zheng-Gang
ZG
Xia
Jing-Lin
JL
Zhang
Bo-Heng
BH
Wang
Yan-Hong
YH
Ge
Ning-Ling
NL
Chen
Yi
Y
Yang
Bi-Wei
BW
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D015251:Epirubicin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil