Minimally invasive hepatectomy <i>vs.</i> thermoablation for single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma: A weighted real-life national comparison.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

For patients with single small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma ablation is the first-line treatment, although a high rate of recurrence has been reported. The aim was to compare videolaparoscopic liver resection (laparoscopic resection group) vs. percutaneous thermoablation (ablation group) in terms of overall survival, recurrence-free survival and early recurrence in a real-life national scenario.

Methods

The study is a retrospective collection with subsequent survival analysis. Data were collected from two Italian HCC registries, ITA.LI.CA and HE.RC.O.LE.S. An inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis was performed to balance baseline differences between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and double-robust Cox multivariable regression were

SUBMITTER: Giuliante F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12271620 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature