Abstract:ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effects and adverse effects of microwave ablation (MWA) with sorafenib and sorafenib monotherapy in the treatment of advancedstage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsMedical records and followup information of 57 patients with advancedstage HCC were retrospectively reviewed. 25 patients were treated with MWA combined with sorafenib (combined group), and 32 patients were treated with sorafenib monotherapy (monotherapy group). The end points were therapeutic effect, progressionfree survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse reactions. ResultsThe objective response rate in the combined group was similar to the monotherapy group (16.0% vs. 3.1%, χ2=1.521, P=0.217). The disease control rate in the combined group was significantly higher than that in the monotherapy group (80.0% vs. 50.0%, χ2=5.429, P=0.020). The median PFS in the combined group was longer than that in the monotherapy group (6.0 months vs. 3.2 months, χ2=7.675, P=0.006), but the median OS was similar (11.5 months vs. 8.5 months, χ2=2.480, P=0.115). The serious adverse reactions were similar between the two treatment groups (44.0% vs. 34.4%, χ2=0.549, P=0.459). ConclusionMWA plus sorafenib is superior to sorafenib alone with respect to PFS in patients with advancedstage HCC, although it may not improve OS, with no increased risk of serious adverse reactions.

Key words:Liver neoplasms,Microwaves,Sorafenib