Anatomical Radiofrequency Ablation for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Anatomical Radiofrequency Ablation for Peripherally Located Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Combined Energy Delivery Mode and Triple Cooled-Wet Electrodes

The aim of this study is to investigate therapeutic outcomes of anatomical radiofrequency ablation for peripherally located small hepatocellular carcinoma using combined energy delivery mode and triple cooled-wet electrodes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child-Pugh class A or B7.
• Presence of chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis.
• Patients with hepatocellular carcinomas diagnosed by histopathology or noninvasive imaging-based diagnosis according to the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea guidelines.
• Patients with viable hepatocellular carcinoma after locoregional treatment diagnosed by the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System.
• Tumor location is less than 5 cm from liver capsule.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The number of tumor is three or more.
• Tumor size is over 3 cm.
• Tumor location is over 5 cm from liver capsule.
• Child-Pugh class B8-9 or C.
• Presence of macrovascular invasion and/or distant metastasis.
• Platelet count < 50,000 mm3, or international normalized ratio > 1.5 (prothrombin time >1.5 × normal).