Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study

Chih-Yang Hsiao,1,2 Rey-Heng Hu,1 Po-Chin Liang,3 Chih-Horng Wu4– 6 1Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin...

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Main Authors: Hsiao CY, Hu RH, Liang PC, Wu CH
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/comparison-of-long-term-outcomes-between-repeated-hepatic-resection-an-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JHC
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author Hsiao CY
Hu RH
Liang PC
Wu CH
author_facet Hsiao CY
Hu RH
Liang PC
Wu CH
author_sort Hsiao CY
collection DOAJ
description Chih-Yang Hsiao,1,2 Rey-Heng Hu,1 Po-Chin Liang,3 Chih-Horng Wu4– 6 1Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; 4Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Center of Minimal-Invasive Interventional Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Chih-Horng Wu, Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan, Tel +886 2 2312-3456 Ext.62570, Email chw1020@ntuh.gov.twBackground: Repeat hepatic resection (re-resection) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are both standard treatments for small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection. This study compares long-term outcomes of these treatments.Methods: This retrospective study included patients with recurrent HCC smaller than 3 cm treated with re-resection or RFA from 2001 to 2019 in a tertiary center. Propensity score matching (PSM) minimized baseline differences. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Subgroup analyses explored outcomes based on recurrence interval, hepatitis infection status, and RFA guidance method (ultrasound [US] versus computed tomography [CT]). Multivariate Cox regression identified predictors of survival and secondary recurrence.Results: After PSM, 106 patients in the re-resection group and 106 in the RFA group were compared. OS rates at 3, 5, and 8 years for re-resection were 97.9%, 85.4%, and 75.8%, compared to 87.8%, 77.9%, and 62.8% for RFA (p = 0.15). DFS rates were 53.3%, 41.8%, and 26.7% for re-resection versus 43.9%, 28.1%, and 24.0% for RFA (p = 0.15). Subgroup analysis indicated re-resection was superior in early recurrence (< 24 months) and HBV-related HCC. US-guided and CT-guided RFA showed no significant differences in OS or DFS. HCV infection and multiple tumors were independent predictors of secondary recurrence.Conclusion: Repeat hepatic resection and RFA offer comparable survival for small recurrent HCC. Re-resection is preferred for early recurrence and HBV-related HCC. US- and CT-guided RFA are equally effective alternatives. Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, outcome, radiofrequency ablation, recurrence, repeat resection
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spelling doaj-art-ee7f377e0ade46f5a28fa86ece363da02025-08-20T03:31:21ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma2253-59692025-07-01Volume 12Issue 115871598105072Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched StudyHsiao CY0Hu RH1Liang PC2Wu CH3SurgerySurgeryMedical ImagingMedical ImagingChih-Yang Hsiao,1,2 Rey-Heng Hu,1 Po-Chin Liang,3 Chih-Horng Wu4– 6 1Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Department of Traumatology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan; 4Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Center of Minimal-Invasive Interventional Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Chih-Horng Wu, Department of Medical Imaging and Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan, Tel +886 2 2312-3456 Ext.62570, Email chw1020@ntuh.gov.twBackground: Repeat hepatic resection (re-resection) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are both standard treatments for small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection. This study compares long-term outcomes of these treatments.Methods: This retrospective study included patients with recurrent HCC smaller than 3 cm treated with re-resection or RFA from 2001 to 2019 in a tertiary center. Propensity score matching (PSM) minimized baseline differences. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Subgroup analyses explored outcomes based on recurrence interval, hepatitis infection status, and RFA guidance method (ultrasound [US] versus computed tomography [CT]). Multivariate Cox regression identified predictors of survival and secondary recurrence.Results: After PSM, 106 patients in the re-resection group and 106 in the RFA group were compared. OS rates at 3, 5, and 8 years for re-resection were 97.9%, 85.4%, and 75.8%, compared to 87.8%, 77.9%, and 62.8% for RFA (p = 0.15). DFS rates were 53.3%, 41.8%, and 26.7% for re-resection versus 43.9%, 28.1%, and 24.0% for RFA (p = 0.15). Subgroup analysis indicated re-resection was superior in early recurrence (< 24 months) and HBV-related HCC. US-guided and CT-guided RFA showed no significant differences in OS or DFS. HCV infection and multiple tumors were independent predictors of secondary recurrence.Conclusion: Repeat hepatic resection and RFA offer comparable survival for small recurrent HCC. Re-resection is preferred for early recurrence and HBV-related HCC. US- and CT-guided RFA are equally effective alternatives. Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma, outcome, radiofrequency ablation, recurrence, repeat resectionhttps://www.dovepress.com/comparison-of-long-term-outcomes-between-repeated-hepatic-resection-an-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JHCHepatocellular carcinomaOutcomeRadiofrequency ablationRecurrenceRepeat resection.
spellingShingle Hsiao CY
Hu RH
Liang PC
Wu CH
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Outcome
Radiofrequency ablation
Recurrence
Repeat resection.
title Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
title_full Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
title_fullStr Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
title_short Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Between Repeated Hepatic Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation in Patients with Small Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Initial Curative Resection: A Propensity Score Matched Study
title_sort comparison of long term outcomes between repeated hepatic resection and radiofrequency ablation in patients with small recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after initial curative resection a propensity score matched study
topic Hepatocellular carcinoma
Outcome
Radiofrequency ablation
Recurrence
Repeat resection.
url https://www.dovepress.com/comparison-of-long-term-outcomes-between-repeated-hepatic-resection-an-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JHC
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