Clinical effect and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treatment of primary liver cancer in high-risk locations

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation( RFA) following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization( TACE) in the treatment of primary liver cancer in high- risk locations. Methods The patients with primary liver cancer in high- risk locations who were diagnosed and treated from January 2011 to December 2015 were enrolled. All the patients underwent TACE followed by CT- guided RFA 3- 5 days later. The treatment outcome and adverse events were observed. Results A total of64 patients with 76 lesions were enrolled and all of them completed TACE and RFA. At one month after surgery,the complete tumor ablation rate was 81. 5%( 62/76). The patients were followed up for 6 to 64 months after surgery; at the end of follow- up,the local tumor progression rate was 28. 9%( 22/76),and the 1-,2-,and 3- year survival rates were 90. 6%,78. 1%,and 64. 1%,respectively. The incidence rate of severe surgical complications during follow- up was 3. 1%( one patient each experienced liver abscess and hematobilia),and the patients achieved remission after medical treatment and interventional treatment without any sequel. Conclusion CT- guided RFA after TACE is a safe and feasible regimen for primary liver cancer in high- risk locations.