Radiofrequency ablation versus resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis: a meta-analysis.

AIM: To evaluate whether radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgical resection (RES) has superior overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Meta-analysis was used to compare 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS and DFS between RFA and RES. Those studies meeting inclusion criteria and published prior to 1 June 2015 were included. The odds ratio (OR) was used as the treatment effect measure. A priori defined sensitivity analyses of study subgroups was performed.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in this analysis. Subgroup analyses based on predetermined patient characteristics were performed to minimise bias. No difference in 1-year OS, 3-year OS, and 3-year DFS was found in analyses limited to studies where patients were equally eligible for both therapies. There was also not a significant difference in OS and DFS between RFA and RES when studies were limited to those with only solitary tumours or tumours <3 cm.

CONCLUSION: The data suggest the equivalence of RFA and RES in patients with solitary tumours <3 cm and good liver status based on Child-Pugh score.