title: Long-term outcomes of microwave versus radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma by surgical approach: A retrospective comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Both microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are commonly employed local ablation techniques for malignant liver tumors. However, comparative data on long-term results between these two techniques is scarce in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective comparative study between MWA and RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using surgical approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MWA group consisted of 26 patients while the RFA group consisted of 47 case-matched patients. The two groups were comparable, except patients were older and their platelet count was lower in the MWA group. The median follow-up period was 47.5 months in MWA group and 52.9 months in RFA group (p = 0.322). There was no difference in 5-year overall survival (MWA 73.1%, RFA 46.3%, p = 0.082) and 5-year disease free survival (MWA 13.8%, RFA 14.6%, p = 0.736). When a subgroup analysis of tumors ≥ 3.5 cm was performed, there were 16 patients in the MWA group and 21 patients in the RFA group, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival were MWA 75.0%, RFA 28.6% (p = 0.022) and MWA 25.0%, RFA 4.8% (p = 0.207), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MWA is comparable to RFA for HCC in terms of long-term outcomes. For tumors ≥ 3.5 cm, MWA is associated with a better overall 5-year survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: leekf@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Kit-Fai
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Joyce Wai-Yi
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yue-Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Charing Ching-Ning
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Anthony Kong-Wai
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Simon Chun-Ho
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Paul Bo-San
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma; local ablation; microwave ablation; radiofrequency ablation