Evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical resection and ablation for the treatment of early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundThe optimal treatment strategy for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial, specifically in regard to surgical resection (SR) and ablation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SR and ablation on recurrence and prognosis in early‐stage HCC patients, to optimize treatment strategies and improve long‐term survival.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 801 patients diagnosed with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0/A HCC and treated with SR or ablation between January 2015 and December 2019. The effectiveness and complications of both treatments were analyzed, and patients were followed up to measure recurrence and survival. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to increase comparability between the two groups. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to analyze recurrence and survival, and a Cox risk proportional hazard model was used to identify risk factors that affect recurrence and surviva.ResultsBefore PSM, the overall survival (OS) rates were similar in both groups, with recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates better in the SR group than in the ablation group. After PSM, there was no significant difference in OS between the two groups. However, the RFS rates were significantly better in the SR group than in the ablation group. The ablation group exhibited superior outcomes compared to the SR group, with shorter treatment times, reduced bleeding, shorter hospital stays, and lower hospital costs. Concerning the location of the HCC within the liver, comparable efficacy was observed between SR and ablation for disease located in the noncentral region or left lobe. However, for HCCs located in the central region or right lobe of the liver, SR was more effective than ablation.ConclusionsThis study revealed no significant difference in OS between SR and ablation for early‐stage HCC, with SR providing better RFS and ablation demonstrating better safety profiles and lower hospital costs. These findings offer valuable insights for clinicians in determining optimal treatment strategies for early‐stage HCC patients, particularly in terms of balancing efficacy, safety, and cost considerations.