[Expert consensus on the clinical application of co-ablation therapy for liver tumors in anatomically challenging...

Ablation technology represents a fundamental approach to the management of solid tumors, with cryoablation serving as a particularly effective modality due to its established therapeutic efficacy, minimally invasive nature, lower complication rates, and broad clinical utility. China has pioneered this field through the development of a next-generation cold and hot co-ablation system that integrates low-temperature freezing with intense thermal ablation, thereby enhancing therapeutic versatility. Its efficacy and safety profile have been rigorously validated in the context of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, compared to conventional thermal ablation techniques, such as microwave, radiofrequency, and standalone cryoablation, the factors influencing the success of combined cold and hot co-ablation therapy are significantly more complex. This complexity is further intensified when targeting liver cancers situated in anatomically challenging regions, including areas adjacent to the diaphragm, hepatic hilum, gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and heart. To ensure the judicious application of this advanced composite ablation technology in hepatic malignancies, a comprehensive expert consensus has been meticulously established through the collaborative efforts of experts from the Committee of Ablation Therapy in Oncology, the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association, the Expert Committee on Ablation Therapy, the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), and the Committee of Tumor Ablation, the Chinese College of Interventionalists.