title: Radiofrequency ablation plus chemoembolization versus radiofrequency ablation alone for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine whether the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is more effective than the use of RFA alone for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A computer-based search was performed. Randomised trials comparing RFA plus TACE and RFA alone for treatment of HCC were included in this meta-analysis. The outcome of interest for our analysis was survival (recurrence-free survival and overall survival).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight trials with 648 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. Our pooled results suggest that RFA plus TACE is associated with a significant advantage in recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR=0.58; 95% CI=0.42-0.80, P=0.001), and overall survival (OS) (HR=0.60; 95% CI=0.47-0.76, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TACE combined with RFA was more effective than RFA alone, especially for treatment for intermediate and large-size hepatic tumours or younger patients with HCC.
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China; Fudan University, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, 200032 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Qi-Wen
authors.initials: QW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Hai-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Ye-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Cancer Center, Department of Integrated Oncology, 200032 Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: cz120@mail.sh.cn.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Post Graduate School of Shandong, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cancer Treatment Center, First Department, 250355 Jinan, Shandong Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Wen-Jing
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local