A systematic review of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of liver tumours

Sutherland LM, Williams JA, Padbury RT, Gotley DG, Stokes B, Maddern GJ
Record ID 32002000919
English
Authors' objectives:

The aim of this review was to compare the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for primary hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal liver carcinoma, in comparison to other surgical and non-surgical therapeutic techniques, on the basis of a systematic assessment of the literature. The surgical comparative techniques included resection or hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy. The nonsurgical comparative interventions included local ablative therapies such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI); cryotherapy; or procedures that produce local heat such as microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) or laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT).

Authors' results and conclusions: The evidence was limited by small sample size, short follow-up times and a lack of comparability between the outcome measures. Despite the limitations of the data, RFA generally resulted in larger and more complete areas of ablation and may also be associated with higher survival rates compared to the other ablative techniques assessed in this review. Surgical resection was associated with a lower rate of recurrence and an increased time interval to recurrence compared to RFA. However, these two procedures are usually performed on different patient groups, with RFA being performed on patients who are unable to undergo surgical resection.
Authors' recommendations: On the basis of the evidence presented in this systematic review, The ASERNIP-S Review Group agreed on the following classifications and recommendations concerning the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of liver tumours: Evidence rating - Average Safety - At least as safe compared to comparator procedure(s) Efficacy - Efficacy cannot be determined
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2002
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Australia
MeSH Terms
  • Catheter Ablation
  • Liver Neoplasms
Contact
Organisation Name: Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures-Surgical
Contact Address: ASERNIP-S 24 King William Street, Kent Town SA 5067 Australia Tel: +61 8 8219 0900
Contact Name: racs.asernip@surgeons.org
Contact Email: racs.asernip@surgeons.org
Copyright: Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures - Surgical
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.