Short-term clinical effect of cyberknife versus radiofrequency ablation in treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and safety of cyberknife versus radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A total of 80 previously untreated patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled. Among these patients, 35 patients with 41 target lesions received cyberknife, and 45 patients with 47 target lesions received radiofrequency ablation. The two groups were compared in terms of objective response rate ( complete remission + partial remission) , 1-year overall survival rate, 1-year local control rate, and incidence rate of postoperative adverse events. The chi-square test or the continuous calibration chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate local control rate, and the log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results The patients were followed up for 6. 0-17. 7 months, with a median follow-up time of 13. 5 months. Two patients ( 2. 5%) were lost to follow-up, with one patient from each group. In the cyberknife group, there were 31 lesions with complete remission ( 75. 6%) , 4 lesions with partial remission ( 9. 8%) , 4 lesions with a stable state ( 9. 8%) , and 2 lesions with progression ( 4. 8%) , with an objective response rate of 85. 4%, a 1-year overall survival rate of 100%, and a 1-year local control rate of 94. 3%.In the radiofrequency ablation group, there were 38 lesions with complete remission ( 80. 9%) and 9 lesions with progression ( 19. 1%) , with an objective response rate of 80. 9%, a 1-year overall survival rate of 100%, and a 1-year local control rate of 91. 0%. There were no significant differences in objective response rate and local control rate between the two groups ( both P > 0. 05) . Most postoperative adverse events were mild ( grade 1-2) , and no serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion Cyberknife is as safe and effective as radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma and is one of the options for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma.