Abstract: Objective: Through Meta-analysis, compared with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone, to analyze the curative effect and safety of TACE combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating large liver cancers.
Method: According to the Meta-analysis process, the relevant domestic and foreign related databases such as PubMed, Embase, Seer, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Medical Network, VIP, China Biomedical Literature Database were searched with defined search terms. The search period was January 2003 to June 2023. Randomized controlled clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of TACE+RFA versus TACE alone in the treatment of large liver cancer were screened and included. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software. Result:Finally, A total of 16 papers were included, involving 1 175 patients, including 587 cases in the TACE+RFA group and 588 cases in the TACE alone group. The results of Meta-analysis indicated that: compared with the TACE alone group, the objective response rate (ORR) [relative risk (RR)=1.46, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.35-1.59, P<0.000 01], disease control rate (DCR) (RR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.12-1.22, P<0.000 01), 1-year survival rate (RR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.24-1.55, P<0.000 01), 2-year survival rate (RR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.38-2.32, P<0.000 1) and 3-year survival rate (RR=3.20, 95%CI: 1.25-8.20, P=0.02) of TACE+RFA group were better than those of simple TACE group, and the difference was statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the common adverse reactions between the two groups.
Conclusion: Compared with TACE alone, TACE+RFA can improve the short-term efficacy and the long-term survival rate of large liver cancer patients, and does not increase the occurrence of adverse reactions.

Key words: Large liver cancer, Radiofrequency ablation, Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, Meta-analysis