High Serum Des-gamma-carboxy Prothrombin Level Predicts Poor Prognosis After Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The article reports on a study analyzing treatment strategies for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) measuring less than or equal to 13 cm by comparing the long-term outcome of patients treated with either hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as the first-line treatment for HCC. In the study, 199 patients who underwent surgery and 209 patients who underwent RFA for HCC were analysed. It was found that high DCP levels reflect the biologic aggressiveness and progression of HCC tumors.