Comparing transarterial chemoembolization alone to combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in primary hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

Table 3 Changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein levels before and after treatment in transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial chemoembolization + radiofrequency ablation groups, mean ± SD

Group	Time point	Number	Serum AFP (μg/L)
TACE group	Before treatment	56	543.4 ± 196.7
	After 1 year	28	639.1 ± 190.9
	After 2 years	6	623.4 ± 234.6
	After 3 years	2	674.4 ± 300.2
TACE + RFA group	Before treatment	50	565.2 ± 206.7
	After 1 year	32	475.4 ± 200.7
	After 2 years	15	416.4 ± 229.0
	After 3 years	9	320.4 ± 243.5

TACE: Transarterial chemoembolization; RFA: Radiofrequency ablation; AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein.