Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignant cancer of the liver. Evidence for the role of cryotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma is controversial.

The aim of a new review has been to evaluate the potential benefits and harms of cryotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The researchers were unable to identify any randomised clinical trials and quasi-randomised trials. Instead, two prospective cohort studies and two retrospective cohort studies have been identified. However, only one of these studies could be included for the assessment of benefit as the study results were stratified according to both the type of hepatic malignancy ( primary or secondary ) and the intervention group.

This retrospective study compared percutaneous cryotherapy with percutaneous radiofrequency.

The remaining studies were excluded for the analyses of benefit but included for the assessment of harm. Both severe and non-severe adverse events were reported, but the true nature and extent of harm was difficult to asses.

At present, there is no evidence to recommend or refute cryotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Randomised clinical trials with low-risk of bias may help in defining the role of cryotherapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Awad T et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;(4):CD007611

XagenaMedicine2009


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