Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: our perspectives on patient selection and curative results / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been playing an important role in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is minimally invasive, easily repeatable and potentially curative. Many centers now accept it to be the best therapeutic choice for patients with early-stage HCC when liver transplantation or surgical resection is not suitable. In this article, we reviewed the indications, techniques , and clinical results of RFA in the treatment of HCC.Suitable patient selection, good pre-treatment planning,complete ablation, and careful post-treatment follow up are important. Techniques, such as artificial pleural effusion and ascites, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography-guided RFA,laparoscopic or open surgical approaches have reduced complications and expanded the indications for RFA.