Original Article
- Enhanced radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma post-transarterial chemoembolization: a prospective study utilizing twin internally cooled-perfusion electrodes
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Sungjun Hwang, Jae Hyun Kim, Sae-Jin Park, Su Jong Yu, Yoon Jun Kim, Jung-Hwan Yoon, Jeong Min Lee
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J Liver Cancer. 2025;25(1):91-98. Published online February 7, 2025
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2025.01.25
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4,398
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67
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Abstract
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- Backgrounds/Aims
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is widely employed for managing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, local tumor progression (LTP) after treatment remains a significant challenge. This study evaluates the efficacy of saline-perfused bipolar RFA using twin internally cooled-perfusion (TICP) electrodes in managing recurrent HCC post-TACE.
Methods
Between September 2017 and January 2019, 100 patients with 105 nodules (mean diameter, 1.6±0.5 cm) were prospectively enrolled. Bipolar RFA with TICP electrodes was performed under ultrasound-computed tomography/magnetic resonance fusion guidance. The primary outcome was the 2-year cumulative incidence of LTP.
Results
The technical success and technique efficacy rates were 100% and 97%, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 34.0 months (range, 3-41), the estimated LTP rates were 13.3% at 1 year and 17.7% at 2 years. Progression-free survival rates were 37.8% and 27.7% at 1 year and 2 years, respectively.
Conclusions
Saline-perfused bipolar RFA using TICP electrodes demonstrates promising results for recurrent HCC after TACE, achieving high technical success and effective local tumor control rates.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by

- Risk Model for Predicting Aggressive Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Microwave Ablation Using MRI and Clinical Parameters
Ran Wei, Mengxuan Zuo, Wang Li, Wendao Liu, Chengzhi Li, Chao An
Radiology: Imaging Cancer.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Recommendation and Guideline
- Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: 2024 expert consensus-based practical recommendation of the Korean Liver Cancer Association
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Seungchul Han, Pil Soo Sung, Soo Young Park, Jin Woong Kim, Hyun Pyo Hong, Jung-Hee Yoon, Dong Jin Chung, Joon Ho Kwon, Sanghyeok Lim, Jae Hyun Kim, Seung Kak Shin, Tae Hyung Kim, Dong Ho Lee, Jong Young Choi
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J Liver Cancer. 2024;24(2):131-144. Published online August 30, 2024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2024.08.04
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23,211
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643
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12
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12
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Abstract
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Supplementary Material
- Local ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a non-surgical option that directly targets and destroys tumor cells, has advanced significantly since the 1990s. Therapies with different energy sources, such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation, employ different mechanisms to induce tumor necrosis. The precision, safety, and effectiveness of these therapies have increased with advances in guiding technologies and device improvements. Consequently, local ablation has become the firstline treatment for early-stage HCC. The lack of organized evidence and expert opinions regarding patient selection, pre-procedure preparation, procedural methods, swift post-treatment evaluation, and follow-up has resulted in clinicians following varied practices. Therefore, an expert consensus-based practical recommendation for local ablation was developed by a group of experts in radiology and hepatology from the Research Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association in collaboration with the Korean Society of Image-guided Tumor Ablation to provide useful information and guidance for performing local ablation and for the pre- and posttreatment management of patients.
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Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by

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Ching-Wei Chang, Ming-Shun Wu, Wei-Yu Kao, Ming-Feng Chiang, Shih-Jer Hsu, Shen-Yung Wang, Chao-Hung Hung, Chih Horng Wu, San-Chi Chen, Yu-Ming Cheng, I-Cheng Lee, Yi-Chung Hsieh, Wei-Ting Chen, Chen-Chun Lin, Po-Chin Liang, Jen-I. Hwang, Shi-Ming Lin, Ka
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Liangliang Meng, Xiao Zhang, Xiaobo Zhang, YingtianWei, Yueyong Xiao
Med-X.2026;[Epub] CrossRef - Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization for early multinodular BCLC-A hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Maria F. F. Viana, Arthur A. Braga, Lucas B. Carvalho, Danilo C. M. S. Vasconcellos, Bianca C. M. R. Alexandrino, Felipe J. F. Coimbra
Journal of Liver Cancer.2026; 26(1): 157. CrossRef - Microwave ablation vs. liver resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas
Hyundam Gu, Yeonjoo Seo, Dong Jin Chung, Kwang Yeol Paik, Seung Kew Yoon, Jihye Lim
Journal of Liver Cancer.2025; 25(1): 99. CrossRef - Evolving trends in epidemiology, etiology, and treatment patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea
Soo Young Hwang, Ju Dong Yang
Journal of Liver Cancer.2025; 25(1): 4. CrossRef - Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma at specific anatomic sites of the liver: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jiandong Zha, Fang Zhang, Tuoyu Cao, Shasha Li, Xuelian Shen, Liangliang Xu, Wenqi Chen
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BMC Gastroenterology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Immunotherapy in GI Cancers: Lessons from Key Trials and Future Clinical Applications
Supriya Peshin, Faizan Bashir, Naga Anvesh Kodali, Adit Dharia, Sajida Zaiter, Sakshi Singal, Nagaishwarya Moka
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Mythileeswari Lakshmikanthan, Sakthivel Muthu, John T. D. Caleb, Yuvaraj Maria Francis, Indra Neel Pulidindi
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Shuichiro Shiina, Ryosuke Tateishi, Joon Il Choi, So Yeon Kim, Zhiqiang Meng, Lujun Shen, Sheng-Nan Lu, Jen-I. Hwang, Maki Tobari, Hitoshi Maruyama, Terguunbileg Batsaikhan, Qing Deng, Lariza Marie Canseco, Yoshinari Asaoka, Shi-Ming Lin, Kai-Wen Huang, H
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David S. Lu
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