Cryosurgery for isolated liver tumors or associated with complex liver resection: a series of 38 patients

The aim of this prospective study is to assess the outcomes of cryosurgery for liver tumors, as a single treatment or associated to liver resections in conjunction or not with other visceral resections.

Between 2001 and 2011, in our institution,70 hepatic tumors have been treated through cryo surgery in 38 patients. Complications and survival were assessed,according to different types of hepatic tumors and treatment complexity.

Operative mortality within 1 month was 2.6% related to cryosurgery. The median follow up was 25.8 months (range from 0-41.85 months). The number of complications was associated to complex treatment. The morbidity, mortality,disease-free and overall survival rates were not statistically significantly different between the different types of tumors (p value 0.05). The median disease free survival was 9.5 months, with cryosite recurrent disease in 21.5% patients, and 28.9% recurrences in other liver sites.

Cryotherapy, single or associated with liver resections combined or not with other visceral resections is an effective procedure. The antitumoral effects of treatment were demonstrated, but complications and high local recurrence rate, especially in patients with extensive disease, should caution against its use.