Single hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 3 cm in left lateral segment: Liver resection or radiofrequency ablation?

AIM:To evaluate the long-term results of radiofrequency ablation(RFA)compared to left lateral sectionectomy(LLS)in patients with Child-Pugh class A disease for the treatment of single and small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in the left lateral segments.METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the data of133 patients with single HCC(≤3 cm)in their left lateral segments who underwent curative LLS(n=66)or RFA(n=67)between 2006 and 2010.RESULTS:The median follow-up period was 33.5mo in the LLS group and 29 mo in the RFA group(P=0.060).Most patients had hepatitis B virus-related HCC.The hospital stay was longer in the LLS group than in the RFA group(8 d vs 2 d,P<0.001).The 1-,2-,and 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 80.0%,68.2%,and 60.0%,and 95.4%,92.3%,and 92.3%,respectively,for the LLS group;and 80.8%,59.9%,and 39.6%,and 98.2%,92.0%,and 74.4%,respectively,for the RFA group.The disease-free survival curve and overall survival curve were higher in the LLS group than in the RFA group(P=0.012 and P=0.013,respectively).Increased PIVKA-Ⅱlevels and small tumor size were associated with HCC recurrence in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION:Liver resection is suitable for single HCC≤3 cm in the left lateral segments.