[Cryohepatectomy for liver cancer: preliminary evaluation of reducing postoperative recurrence].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cryohepatectomy is potentially beneficial in reducing the recurrence and prolonging survival for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
The study included 84 patients who underwent cryohepatectomy, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) followed by the resection of the frozen tumor by conventional technique, for HCC and were closely follow-up after surgery. Recurrence and survival rates were calculated by the life-table method.


RESULTS
The postoperative course of cryohepatectomy in all of the 84 patients was uneventful, there being no operative mortality or severe complications. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after cryohepatectomy were 98.7%, 83.9% and 64.0%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rates after cryohepatectomy were 15.1%, 30.1% and 39.0%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Cryohepatectomy for HCC is a safe procedure and may be potentially beneficial in reducing recurrence and prolonging survival. More time is needed to further define whether this procedure will improve long-term survival as compared with conventional resection.
Zhou
Xin-da
XD
Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. xdzhou2000@yahoo.com.cn
Tang
Zhao-you
ZY
Yu
Yao
Y
Ma
Zeng-chen
ZC
Wu
Zhi-quan
ZQ
Zhang
Bo-heng
BH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015996:Survival Rate