Cost-benefit analysis of hepatic resection, radiofrequency ablation and liver transplantation in small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio of surgical treatment options for small hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC) by using the decision tree model and providing a reference for the clinical therapeutic decisions for SHC.

Methods: The data of 719 cases with SHC in the BCLC 0-A who were treated in the past were collected. The survival duration and treatment cost of patients in each experimental group after hepatic resection (HR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were statistically analyzed.

Results: For SHC with a diameter of less than 3.0 cm, HR, RFA, and OLT had similar cost-effectiveness ratios. OLT could achieve a longer life expectancy, but it was greatly affected by the dropout rate while waiting for the liver donor. RFA was preferred when the willingness to pay (WTP) < 2,5000 RMB/QALY, OLT was preferred when WTP > 75,000 RMB/QALY, and HR was preferred when WTP was between the two.

Expert Opinion: HR in SHC with OLT had the longest life expectancy, but due to the limitations of organ sources, OLT was the preferred treatment option when the WTP was large enough.