RFA may be most effective in primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma). Primary tumors are often soft and encapsulated, and usually occur in a cirrhotic liver, allowing for effective disbursement and retention of the heat. Although surgery and liver transplant are considered the only curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, few patients are eligible.[6] Eligibility criteria tend to vary by institution and physician. Contraindications include multiple tumors, decreased liver function, or multiple medical problems. While controlled, long-term studies of RFA have not been done, survival rates are likely to be similar to that of patients undergoing surgery or PEI treatment.[13] With a median follow-up of only 15 months, Curley and colleagues reported 1.8 percent short-term recurrence rate following RFA of 169 tumors (median diameter 3.4 cm) in 123 patients with primary or metastatic liver cancer.[14] RFA clearly can provide short-term local control of small, early, or focal liver cancer. The question remains if this finding of a low short-term recurrence rate will translate into prolonged survival. Extrapolation of data from the surgical literature for resection of solitary liver tumors suggests that successful local control may lead to prolonged survival. Combination therapies need to be further studied for impact upon survival as well.[15] Current studies are underway to evaluate the long-term efficacy of RFA for liver tumors. As yet, there have been no long-term, randomized studies, and the long-term benefits are thus somewhat speculative. Still, preliminary, short-term results are promising and suggest that this therapy can impact certain patients' survival. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.