Long-term outcome of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization after radiofrequency ablation as a combined therapy for Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AbstractObjective:This study was undertaken to assess the long-term outcome of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with a combined therapy for Chinese patients with intermediate (stage B) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of single block type, and evaluate the survival rate for 1, 3, 5, and 7 years.Research design and methods:This prospective, single-center study consisted of patients with solitary massive intermediate (stage B) HCC treated by RFA combined with TACE from October 1999 to December 2013.Main outcome measures:The survival rate of the patients for 1, 3, 5, and 7 years, and safety of the RFA treatment in the interim, total RFA for each case, and number of TACE cycles were evaluated.Results:Ninety-three patients (aged 54.4 ± 8.0 years) underwent RFA combined with TACE as a combined therapy, and they were analyzed and followed up until December 2013. The mean time for the initial ablation was 1.5–3 h, and, on average, each patient received 1.3...