Double attack on liver cancer: does adding RFA to TACE improve survival?
NCT ID NCT02435953
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 3 trial tested whether adding radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to standard transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) improves outcomes for people with intermediate-stage liver cancer. 241 participants with 2-10 liver tumors were randomly assigned to receive either TACE alone or TACE followed by RFA. The study measured progression-free survival, overall survival, and tumor response rates to see if the combination is more effective.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- TACE (chemoembolization) and RFA (radiofrequency ablation)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, combining TACE with RFA could improve survival and tumor control for people with intermediate-stage liver cancer compared to TACE alone.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to all patients. The combination may increase side effects or not show a clear benefit over standard care.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Minimally Invasive Interventional Division, Medical Imaging Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center,
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 500060, China
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