Thermal ablation for early-stage breast cancer: cryoablation, microwave, radiofrequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and laser ablation

Kern J, Giess D, Erdos J
Record ID 32018014478
English
Authors' objectives: Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive procedure in which tumours are destroyed with very high (microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, radiofrequency ultrasound ablation and laser ablation) or low (cryoablation) temperatures. The aim of this report was to investigate whether thermal ablation procedures are as or more effective and safer than standard surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
Authors' results and conclusions: A total of 19 studies on the various ablation techniques were identified. Comparative evidence was only available for cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation. Results with low to very low-certainty evidence suggest that these treatments have comparable effectiveness and are generally safe. However, there is a risk that these results may have been influenced by tumour resection and adjuvant therapies.
Authors' recommendations: To establish thermal ablation as a viable alternative to surgery, high-quality, long-term RCTs with standardised methods and non-inferiority studies are essential.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/bewertung-medizinischer-einzelleistungen-mel-berichte/en
Year Published: 2025
URL for published report: https://eprints.aihta.at/1566/1/DSD_145.pdf
URL for additional information: https://eprints.aihta.at/1566/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Full HTA
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Ablation Techniques
  • High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation
  • Radiofrequency Ablation
  • Microwaves
  • Cold Temperature
  • Laser Therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms
Keywords
  • Breast cancer
  • early-stage
  • thermal ablation
  • cryoablation
  • radiofrequency ablation
  • microwave ablation
  • high-intensity ultrasound ablation
  • laser ablation
Contact
Organisation Name: Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Josefstaedter Strasse 39, A-1080 Vienna, Austria
Contact Name: office@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
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.