ArticleDiscover oncology2026
A bibliometric analysis of research trends and hotspots on recurrence after thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma 2005-2025.
Article in Discover oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionRecurrence after thermal ablation is a major determinant of long-term survival in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite extensive research on the recurrence patterns and risk factors, the global research landscape and evolving trends remain unclear. This study aimed to map the global research landscape and intellectual structure of HCC recurrence after radiofrequency or microwave ablation.
methodsA systematic literature search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection for publications between 2005 and 2025. Bibliometric performance analysis and science mapping were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Analyses included publication trends; national, institutional, and author productivity; co-authorship networks; journal co-citation; keyword clustering; burst detection; and timeline visualization of thematic evolution.
resultsOf 3673 records, 969 met eligibility criteria. Annual publications grew exponentially, with China contributing nearly half (49.5%, n = 480) and forming a dominant collaborative cluster with Japan and South Korea. Science mapping revealed four thematic pillars: (1) prognosis and integrated management; (2) ablation versus surgical resection; (3) technique and safety; and (4) precision image-guided therapy. The focus of the field has shifted from early technical validation to precision oncology and optimized therapeutic strategies. Burst detection highlighted microwave ablation (2021-2025) and comparative studies with liver resection (2022-2025) as emerging research frontiers. DISCUSSION: This study systematically mapped HCC ablation recurrence research, quantified the pivotal role of East Asia, delineated the core intellectual architecture of the field, and charted its evolution toward precision and personalized therapy. The findings provide a strategic framework to guide future investigations, foster collaboration, and improve patient outcomes.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.