Abstract :Background/Aims: Local recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation
(RFA) remains an important limitation. However, predictors for local recurrence by therapeutic
procedures with RFA have not been investigated sufficiently. In current study, we evaluated factors
associated with local recurrence after RFA using Cool-tip RF system with a single needle electrode.
Methods: Between January 2010 and April 2013, RFA was performed in 89 hypervascular
hepatocellular carcinoma nodules =20 mm in diameter using Cool-tip RF system. Factors associated
with local recurrence were analyzed for nodules with sufficient ablative margin after RFA. Treatmentassociated
factors evaluated included RFA maximum output, final temperature, frequency of
breaks, and total amount of energy used; background factors included alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), desgamma-carboxy
prothrombin (DCP), total bilirubin, albumin and prothrombin activity (PT) levels.
Results: Univariate analysis showed that RFA maximum output and total amount of energy as
treatment-associated factors and DCP levels as a background factor were associated with local
recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed that only total amount of energy was the significantly
correlated with local recurrence.
Conclusion: This study indicates that RFA using Cool-tip RF system may decrease local recurrence
in hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma = 20 mm by achieving total amount of energy