Background andpurpose: The majority of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is small nodule with less than 3 cm in diameter

and the treatment of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is associated with a prolonging survival time in patients with small HCC. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of RFA for recurrent HCC. Methods: The 1-

3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 61 patients with recurrent HCC undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and RFA after hepatectomy were retrospectively evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore

the complication rate

mortality rate and prognostic factor for OS were evaluated in this study. Results: The 1-

3-

and 5-year OS rates were 96.3%

77.9% and 77.9%

respectively. The 1-

3-

and 5-year PFS rates were 48.6%

20.3% and 13.5%

respectively. Fifty-seven patients (93.4%) achieved complete ablation. There was one patient with a major complication

and no death case due to RFA was found. The median length of hospitalization was 5 days (quartile

4-7). The prognostic factor for OS was the expression of HBsAg (P=0.044

HR=7.496

95%CI: 1.057-53.152). Conclusion: RFA was a safe and effective treatment modality for recurrent HCC after hepatectomy.