Transcatheter chemoembolization plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation: improved outcome for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aims: To retrospectively compare the efficacy of transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) (hereafter, TACE + PRFA) and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: From July 2014 to December 2017, 132 consecutive patients with inoperable HCC were treated with TACE + PRFA ( = 86) or LRFA ( = 46). Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. Propensity score matched (PSM) analyses based on patient and tumor characteristics were also conducted. Additionally, we performed exploratory analyses to determine the effectiveness of TACE + PRFA and LRFA in clinically relevant subsets.

Results: The baseline characteristics of TACE + PRFA patients displayed relatively inferior liver status and a higher rate of BCLC-B disease. For unmatched patients, median OS (55.0 vs. 42.0 months;  = .019) and RFS (20.0 vs. 11.0 months;  < .001) were significantly longer in TACE + PRFA group than that in the LRFA group. After PSM, 39 matched pairs were identified. The difference in median OS (60.0 vs. 44.0 months;  = .009) and RFS (27.0 vs. 11.0 months;  < .001) between the two groups remained significant. Multivariate analysis in matched patients showed that treatment modality and response to initial treatment were significant predictors of OS and RFS, while recurrence after resection was an independent prognostic factor of OS. The benefits of TACE + PRFA were consistent across all the subgroups examined. The different treatments had shared a similar complication rate.

Conclusions: Compared to LRFA, TACE + PRFA results in improved OS and RFS in patients not amenable to resection.