Factors for early tumor recurrence of single small hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the factors affecting the early tumor recurrence within one year in cirrhotic patients having a single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after complete tumor necrosis by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy.


METHODS
Thirty patients with a single small HCC received RFA therapy by a RFA 2000 generator with LeVeen needle. Tri-phase computerized tomogram was followed every 2 to 3 mo after RFA. The clinical effects and tumor recurrence were recorded.


RESULTS
The initial complete tumor necrosis rate was 86.7%. Twenty-two patients were followed for more than one year. The local and overall recurrence rates were 13.6% and 36.4%, 33.3% and 56.2%, 46.6% and 56.2% at 12, 24 and 30 mo, respectively. No major complication or procedure-related mortality was found. The risk factors for early local tumor recurrence within one year were larger tumor size, poor pathologic differentiation of tumor cells and advanced tumor staging. The age of patients with new tumor formation within one year was relatively younger (55.1+/-8.3 vs 66.7+/-10.8, P = 0.029).


CONCLUSIONS
Large tumor size, poor pathologic differentiation of tumor cells and advanced tumor staging are the risk factors for early local tumor recurrence within one year, and young age is the positive predictor for new tumor formation within one year.
Yu
Hsien-Chung
HC
Division of Gastroenterology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, 386 Ta-Chung 1st Road, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan, China.
Cheng
Jin-Shiung
JS
Lai
Kwok-Hung
KH
Lin
Chi-Pin
CP
Lo
Gin-Ho
GH
Lin
Chiun-Ku
CK
Hsu
Ping-I
PI
Chan
Hoi-Hung
HH
Lo
Ching-Chu
CC
Tsai
Wei-Lun
WL
Chen
Wen-Chi
WC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors