Nationwide study on survival and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after ablation as first treatment

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer worldwide with high mortality and recurrence rates. We aimed to report survival and recurrence rates following ablation as the first treatment using real-world data. METHODS: This study was based on data from a database and medical records. Variables associated with survival were investigated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox regression, and for recurrence with the Aalen-Johansen estimator and cause-specific Cox regression. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2023, 395 patients were included. Among them, 80% were men, the median age was 66 years, and 91% had cirrhosis. A complete ablation response was achieved in 86.1% of cases. Median survival was 3.4 years, and the five-year survival rate was 37.3%. Adjusted analysis showed a worse prognosis in patients with a tumor diameter ≥3 cm compared to