Clin Mol Hepatol.  2016 Dec;22(4):509-515. 10.3350/cmh.2016.0079.

Percutaneous cryoablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

• Song KD

• KMID: 2373157
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2016.0079

Abstract

Local ablation therapy is considered as a conventional treatment option for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although radiofrequency (RF) ablation is widely used for HCC, the use of cryoablation has been increasing as newer and safer cryoablation systems have developed. The thermodynamic mechanism of freezing and thawing used in cryoablation is the Joule-Thomson effect. Cryoablation destroys tissue via direct tissue destruction and vascular-related injury. A few recent comparative studies have shown that percutaneous cryoablation for HCCs is comparable to percutaneous RF ablation in terms of long term therapeutic outcomes and complications. Cryoablation has several advantages over RF ablation such as well visualization of iceball, no causation of severe pain, and lack of severe damage to great vessels and gallbladder. It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of cryoablation compared with RF ablation for improvement of therapeutic efficacy and safety.

Keyword

Cryoablation; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Radiofrequency ablation

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnostic imaging/*surgery
Catheter Ablation
*Cryosurgery
Humans
Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging/*surgery
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography