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Issue: No. 100 (2026)
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i100.5060
Date Published: 25/07/2026
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Lam, H. H., Lai, V. N., Tran, T. T., Dang, T. H., Tran, N. Y., Tran, Q. T., Cao, D. A., Ha, T. P., & Nguyen, V. T. (2026). EVALUATION OF EARLY TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA USING RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL IN 2024-2025. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 100, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i100.5060

EVALUATION OF EARLY TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA USING RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL IN 2024-2025

Hoang Huan Lam1, Van Nong Lai1, Thanh Tuan Tran1, Truong Hai Dang1,2, Nhu Y Tran1,2, Quoc Thai Tran1, Duc Anh Cao2, Tan Phat Ha2, Van Tuan Nguyen1,2,
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital
2 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignancy associated with high mortality. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment widely applied in early-stage disease. Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma using radiofrequency ablation at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Materials and methods: An uncontrolled interventional clinical study conducted on 34 patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC stage A) treated with radiofrequency ablation from May 2024 to October 2025. Results: A total of 34 patients with 37 tumors were treated. The mean number of ablation sessions was 1.53 ± 0.61, and the mean ablation time was 21.00 ± 9.29 minutes. Early complications included one case of bowel perforation (2.9%), with no other major complications reported. At 1 month, the complete tumor necrosis rate was 76.5%, higher in tumors ≤ 3 cm. According to mRECIST criteria, the overall response rates at 1 month and 6 months were 91.2% and 94.1%, respectively, with a stable complete response rate of 79.4%. Clinical improvement rates at 1 month and 6 months were 50.0% and 44.1%, respectively. Weight loss was observed in 11.8% and 17.6% of patients. After 6 months of follow-up, local recurrence was 17.6%, new tumor occurrence 14.7%, portal vein thrombosis 5.9%, and mortality 5.9%. Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment modality for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. 

Keywords

Hepatocellular carcinoma, radiofrequency ablation, treatment outcomes

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