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TACE, RFA led to favorable overall survival in recurring HCC
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Patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for residual or recurring hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization showed favorable overall survival rates, despite the frequency and early recurrence of tumors, according to new study data.
Outcomes and predictors of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for HCC recurrence after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were analyzed among a cohort of 101 patients. Each patient (median age, 63 years; 76% male) underwent RFA at the Samsung Medical Center in Korea between April 2007 and August 2010.
The overall survival rates after RFA were 93.1% at 1 year, 65.4% at 3 years and 61% at 5 years. The cumulative survival rates were higher among patients with low serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels compared with patients with high AFP levels (98.2% vs. 87% at 1 year, 79.1% vs. 49.7% at 3 years and 73.7% vs. 47.3% at 5 years; P=.004).
Ninety-five patients experienced HCC recurrence, and the recurrence-free survival rates after RFA were 24% at 1 year, 12% at 2 years and 7% at 3 years. The patients with the highest AFP levels had a worse recurrence-free survival rate compared with patients with low AFP levels (73.9% vs. 87.1% at 2 months, 50% vs. 76% at 4 months and 28.3% vs. 68.6% at 6 months; P<.001).
Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors for overall survival were Child-Pugh class, the specific pattern of HCC recurrence after TACE and the AFP serum level among patients with RFA for recurred HCC after TACE. Poor response to TACE treatment, a high AFP serum level and the presence of a large tumor were all independent predictors for early recurrence among the patients.
“The overall survival after RFA is considerably favorable in patients with recurrent or residual HCC undergoing previous TACE, although HCC seems to recur early and frequently in these patients,” the researchers concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.