Aim

To compare the total medical costs and treatment outcomes in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to their initial treatment, that is, hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), in real-world clinical practice in Japan.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted using a medical claims database. Patients who underwent hepatectomy or RFA for primary HCC were matched using propensity score matching methods for available baseline characteristics. The average per-patient total medical costs from the date of initial treatment to up to 3 years were estimated. The 3-year survival and recurrence rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Data of 1726 patients (863 in each group) were analyzed. The average 3-year medical costs were USD 8000 lower in the RFA group than in the hepatectomy group (USD 35,000 vs. USD 43,000). Patients in the RFA group had comparable 3-year overall survival to those in the hepatectomy group (87.6% vs. 90.4%). However, the 3-year recurrence rate was significantly higher in the RFA group than in the hepatectomy group (41.5% vs. 30.8%; hazard ratio = 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.31–1.87).

Conclusions

In this 3-year study, patients achieved similar survival rates irrespective of initial treatment, but the RFA group had a lower total medical cost burden than the hepatectomy group. If both treatments are equally feasible, RFA may be a preferable initial curative treatment for primary HCC. However, careful consideration and adequate treatment should be given due to its higher recurrence risk.

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