Prognostic factors for long-term outcome after percutaneous thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a survival analysis of 137 consecutive patients

Prognosis for patients with HCC after thermal ablation with curative intent was determined by treatment response to ablation, pretreatment serum AFP, and liver function reserve. Tumour response to treatment was the most predictive factor for long-term survival and was related to tumour size, thus careful selection of patients for ablation therapy is recommended.