Published online Jun 27, 2024. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v16.i6.1756
Revised: April 29, 2024
Accepted: May 23, 2024
Published online: June 27, 2024
Processing time: 109 Days and 23.3 Hours
The recurrence rate of liver cancer after surgery is high. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for liver cancer; however, its efficacy in recurrent liver cancer remains unclear.
To investigate the clinical effect of TACE combined with RFA in the treatment of recurrent liver cancer.
Ninety patients with recurrent liver cancer were divided into 2 groups according to treatment plan: Control (RFA alone); and experimental [TACE combined with RFA (TACE + RFA)]. The incidence of increased alanine aminotransferase levels, complications, and other indices were compared between the two groups before and after the procedures.
One month after the procedures, the short-term efficacy rate and Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and total bilirubin levels were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); The overall response rate was 82.22% and 66.67% in the experimental and control groups, respectively; The disease control rate was 93.33% and 82.22% in the experimental and control groups, respectively, the differences are statistically significant (P < 0.05). And there were no statistical differences in complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).
TACE + RFA was effective for the treatment of recurrent liver cancer and significantly reduced AFP levels and improved various indices of liver function.
Core Tip: The postoperative recurrence rate of liver cancer is high. Although radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for liver cancer, its efficacy in recurrent liver cancer remains unclear. Results of the present study revealed that TACE combined with RFA was effective for the treatment of recurrent liver cancer and could significantly reduce alpha-fetoprotein levels and improve various indices of liver function.