title: Recurrence rates and factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There have been reports that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is as equally effective as surgical resection for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate recurrence rate and risk factor of recurrence after RFA combined with TACE for early stage HCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of the patients who were diagnosed with early stage HCC between March 2006 and August 2008 at Korea University Medical Center and treated with RFA combined with TACE for curative intent (n = 65).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrence rate was 40% (26 cases) and the time to recurrence was 14.9 months. Cumulative recurrence rate at 1 year was 20% (13 cases) and at 2 years was 33.8% (22 cases). Significant variables for recurrence were: (1) RFA repeated more than one session at initial therapy (P < 0.001) and (2) size of main lesion ≥2 cm (P = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recurrence rate of combination therapy was considerably high. Regardless of the therapy used, careful post-RFA follow-up is needed, especially if additional treatment is required after the first session or if the main lesion is ≥2 cm at the time of RFA.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gojan-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Jeong Han
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gojan-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 425-707, Korea. gudwns21@medimail.co.kr.
authors: Hyung Joon
authors: HJ
authors: Yim
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Kwang Gyun
authors: KG
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gojan-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Seung Young
authors: SY
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Eun Suk
authors: ES
authors: Jung
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Young Kul
authors: YK
authors: Jung
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Ji Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Yeon Seok
authors: YS
authors: Seo
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Jong Eun
authors: JE
authors: Yeon
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Hong Sik
authors: HS
authors: Lee
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Soon Ho
authors: SH
authors: Um
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gurodong-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Kwan Soo
authors: KS
authors: Byun
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 425-707, Korea.
authors: Ho Sang
authors: HS
authors: Ryu