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Surgery or Ablation? Study Shows Similar Outcomes for Small Liver Cancer

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Surgery or Ablation? Study Shows Similar Outcomes for Small Liver Cancer

For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, doctors often choose between two treatments: surgery to remove the tumor or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses heat to destroy it. Until now, it has not been clear which option works better for small tumors.

A large Japanese study, called the SURF trial, followed more than 1,000 patients with liver cancer that was 3 cm or smaller and limited to three nodules or fewer. Patients either joined a randomized trial or an observational study, depending on whether they agreed to random assignment.

The results showed:
– Overall survival was similar: After 5 years, about 75% of surgery patients and 70% of RFA patients were still alive.

– Recurrence-free survival was also similar
: Around 43% of patients in both groups remained cancer-free after 5 years.

– Side effects were low
: Surgery carried a slightly higher risk of serious complications (3.3%), while no serious complications were reported in the RFA group.

– In both groups, patients who had recurrences often received additional treatments, including repeat ablation or surgery.

This study suggests that for patients with small, early-stage liver cancer, RFA is as effective as surgery in terms of survival and cancer control, while being less invasive and easier to recover from.

Patients should talk with their care team about whether surgery or ablation is the best fit, depending on tumor size, liver function, and overall health.

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