Hepatocellular Carcinoma — HR Versus RFA for Early Stage HCC
Citation(s)
Cho YK, Kim JK, Kim WT, Chung JW Hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a Markov model analysis. Hepatology. 2010 Apr;51(4):1284-90. doi: 10.1002/hep.23466.
Cho YK, Rhim H, Noh S Radiofrequency ablation versus surgical resection as primary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma meeting the Milan criteria: a systematic review. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011 Sep;26(9):1354-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06812.x. Review.
Duan C, Liu M, Zhang Z, Ma K, Bie P Radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection for the treatment of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma meeting Milan criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Surg Oncol. 2013 Aug 13;11(1):190. doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-11-190. Review.
Wang Y, Luo Q, Li Y, Deng S, Wei S, Li X Radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection for small hepatocellular carcinomas: a meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 3;9(1):e84484. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084484. eCollection 2014.
Hepatic Resection Versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Early-stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.