OBJECTIVETo study the clinical safety and effect on local recurrence in unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with and without chemotherapy through a prospective randomized trial.

METHODSThirty-eight unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma patients with diameter

RESULTSThere was no local recurrence of the tumor in the two groups 1 month after RFA treatment. The 6- and 12-month local recurrence rates were significantly lower in the combined group than that in RFA group alone (P < 0.01). There were no severe complications in the two groups, and nor was there any significant difference in liver function and WBC count.

CONCLUSIONRFA combined with systemic chemotherapy is safe, and it can reduce the local recurrence of unresectable small hepatocellular carcinoma
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Interventional