Cryoablation versus radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Int J HyperthermiaAug 13, 2026 (epub)

Kui Mao, Youqing Wang, Weijun Yao et al.

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In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of cryoablation (CA) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Analyzing data from 7 studies involving 544 patients treated with CA and 925 with RFA, the study found that CA had a higher initial complete ablation rate and lower intraoperative pain, but no significant differences in progression-free survival or overall survival.

Key findings

  • CA was associated with a higher initial complete ablation rate compared to RFA (p = 0.04).
  • CA resulted in a lower incidence of intraoperative pain than RFA (p = 0.02).
  • No significant differences were found in progression-free survival or overall survival between CA and RFA.
  • The safety profiles of CA and RFA were comparable.

Why it matters

Understanding the comparative effectiveness and safety of CA and RFA is crucial for clinicians managing hepatocellular carcinoma, as it informs treatment decisions and patient care strategies.

Source

Published in Int J Hyperthermia. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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AI-generated summaries may contain errors or omissions. Verify clinically important information with the original publication.

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