Post-recurrence survival in hepatocellular carcinoma after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

Abstract Background Overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is influenced by both recurrence and successive treatments. We investigated post-recurrence survival after radiofrequency ablation. Methods Data on 103 early/intermediate patients initially treated with radiofrequency ablation and followed for a median of 78 months (range 68–82) were retrospectively analysed. If intrahepatic disease recurrence occurred within or contiguous to the previously treated area it was defined as local, otherwise as distant; recurrence classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C was defined by neoplastic portal vein thrombosis or metastases. Results A total of 103 patients were included (82.5% male; median age 70 years, range 39–86). During follow-up, 64 recurrences were observed. Median overall survival was 62 months (95% confidence interval: 54–78) and survival rates were 97%, 65% and 52% at 1, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Median post-recurrence survival was 22 months (95% confidence interval: 16–35). Child–Pugh score, performance status, sum of tumour diameters at recurrence and recurrence patterns were independent predictors of post-recurrence survival. Conclusions In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation, clinical and tumour parameters assessed at relapse, in particular the type of recurrence pattern, influence post-recurrence survival.