Authors' recommendations: The evidence on radiofrequency ablation as an alternative to surgical resection in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma is inconclusive. While some reviews indicate that survival rates are similar with both therapies (particularly in tumours ≤3 cm), a recent randomised trial suggests that SRS provides better survival and lower recurrence rates. In some patients resection or transplantation is not possible, and so ablative methods, such as RFA, are employed. Evidence from good quality meta-analyses suggest that RFA is superior to PEI, an alternative ablative therapy, in terms of overall survival, cancer-free survival, complete necrosis and recurrence. There is insufficient evidence available to conclude whether RFA is superior to PAI, microwave ablation, thermal ablation or cryoablation. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether or not RFA would be considered cost effective for HCC at currently accepted thresholds in NHSScotland.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/technologies_and_medicines/shtg_-_evidence_notes/evidence_note_43.aspx

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Scotland, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: Scottish Health Technologies Group

Contact Address: Scottish Health Technologies Group, Delta House, 50 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2NP Tel: 0141 225 6998

Contact Name: his.shtg@nhs.scot

Contact Email: his.shtg@nhs.scot

Copyright: Healthcare Improvement Scotland