Publication Name	World Journal of Gastroenterology
Manuscript ID	116380
Country	Greece

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Letter to the Editor
Article Title	Does hepatectomy outweigh radiofrequency ablation in the management of small hepatocellular carcinoma?
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Dimitrios S Karagiannakis
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Dimitrios S Karagiannakis, Assistant Professor, Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Hospital “Attikon”, Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghiou Thoma 17, Athens 12462, Greece. dkarag@med.uoa.gr
Key Words	Hepatocellular carcinoma; Early stage; Radiofrequency ablation; Surgical resection; Hepatectomy; Survival; Outcomes; Postoperative complications
Core Tip	The optimal treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis and early hepatocellular carcinomas who are not suitable candidates for liver transplantation is still a matter of debate. Percutaneous ablation has shown effectiveness for liver tumors smaller than 3 cm, and it typically results in fewer postoperative complications compared to surgical resection. However, surgical resection appears to provide better long-term outcomes, including higher rates of recurrence-free survival and overall survival. Consequently, it should be the preferred approach in tumors larger than 3 cm or those located in areas where satisfactory peritumoral margins cannot be achieved, making it challenging to secure an extended and effective ablation.
Citation	Karagiannakis DS. Does hepatectomy outweigh radiofrequency ablation in the management of small hepatocellular carcinoma? World J Gastroenterol 2026; In press

Received	2025-11-10 05:38
Peer-Review Started	2025-11-10 05:44
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2025-12-30 07:30
Return for Revision	2025-12-30 07:30
Revised	2025-12-30 17:10
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-01-21 02:35
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-01-21 08:37
Articles in Press	2026-01-21 08:37
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1007-9327 (print) and 2219-2840 (online)
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