ABSTRACT
Radiofrequency ablation [RFA] and percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI] therapy are currently used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of combined PEI-RFA versus RFA alone for ablation of HCC. Twenty seven patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC which was 5 - cm in diameter and - 3 in number were enrolled in this study, 12 patients were treated with RFA alone [group I] and 15 patients were treated with PEI-RFA [group II] Post treatment response was assessed by fine needle aspiration biopsy or cytology [FNAB or FNAC] and/or spiral C.T. The overall success rate for tumor ablation in group II was significantly higher [93.75%] than group I [58.33%] [P=0.03] ,with fewer treatment sessions [only 11.7% in group II needed more than one treatment session compared to 58.3%. in group I]. No mortalities or major complications were reported with any of the techniques used. During the follow up period local recurrence occurred in two lesions in two patients in group I [16.67%] versus no reported cases in group II, 58.33% in group I need to do other ablative modalities versus 13.35 in group II [P=0.01]. In conclusion; PEI-RFA is a safe, practical, and effective modality with fewer treatment sessions for the treatment of HCC than RFA alone