Effectiveness of combined therapy radiofrequency ablation/transarterial chemoembolization versus transarterial chemoembolization/radiofrequency ablation on management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: One of the most widespread cancer-associated death worldwide is Hepatocellular carcinoma. Concerning hepatic malignant tumor staging system known as Barcelona clinic of liver cancer, a superior curative response could be carried out by combined techniques [radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)] for stage B comparing with TACE alone as palliative monotherapy.

Objectives: To discuss the merging effect of RFA followed by TACE and vice versa on objective response, overall survival, local recurrence and tumor-free survival.