title: The role of cryosurgery in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases: a matched-pair analysis of cryotherapy vs. liver resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although liver resection is the gold standard for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), only 15-20% of the patients are candidates for surgery. As ablative therapies may extend this low rate of curative option, the aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of cryosurgery (cryo) on survival of patients with CRLM compared to liver resection (Phx).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a matched-pair analysis, patients undergoing Phx or cryo were compared (n = 39 each). Analysis included pre-, peri-and postoperative data and follow-up for tumor-free and overall survival. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 124 patients undergoing 143 cryosurgical procedures, 39 patients could be identified undergoing single liver cryo procedure for CRLM with a curative approach. Matching of these patients with a Phx cohort, patients undergoing Phx revealed better overall (20 vs. 46 months) and tumor-free survival (7.8 vs. 33.6 months) than patients with cryo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liver resection is strongly recommended for patients with CRLM compared to cryosurgery.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuld
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kollmar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate