title: Radiofrequency ablation following first-line transarterial chemoembolization for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest that a combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) may have theoretical advantages over TACE alone for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation following first-line TACE treatment in the management of HCC beyond the Milan Criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients who consecutively underwent RFA following first-line TACE treatment for HCC beyond the Milan criteria were enrolled in this study. RFA was performed within 1-2 months after TACE treatment in patients who had incomplete necrotic tumor nodules. Primary effectiveness, complications, survival rates, and prognostic factors were evaluated retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete ablation was achieved in 76.2% of the lesions according to 1-month follow-up computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 30.9 months (range 3-94 months). There were no major complications after RFA therapy. The median overall survival was 29 months (range 20-38 months), with 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival of 89%, 61%, and 43%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor diameter (P = 0.045, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.228, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.054-0.968) and pretreatment serum alpha-fetoprotein level (P = 0.024, HR = 2.239, 95% CI: 1.114-4.500) were independent predictors for long-term survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCC beyond the Milan criteria can be completely and safely ablated by radiofrequency ablation following first-line TACE treatment with a low rate of complications and favorable survival outcome. Further assessment of the survival benefits of combination treatment for HCCs beyond the Milan Criteria is warranted.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Yu-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Bo-Heng
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ju-Bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Ning-Lin
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Yan-Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sheng-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 136 Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 20032, China. ren.zhenggang@zs-hospital.sh.cn.
authors.forename: Zheng-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047368:Tumor Burden; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins