Efficacy comparison of radiofrequency ablation and hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to compare the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed for comparative studies reporting outcomes of both RFA and HR for HCC. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 4812 patients with HCC were included, with 2419 in the RFA group and 2393 in the HR group. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in the HR group were significantly higher than those in the RFA group (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.58-0.79, P < 0.00001; OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.50-0.65, P < 0.00001, respectively). 1-, 3-, 5-year disease-free survival and correspond recurrence-free survival rates were all better in HR group.

CONCLUSION: RFA gets promising clinical outcomes for HCC treatments but is not yet comparable to surgery. HR is still the first-line treatment for HCC.