RF Safe

Removal of liver tumours using radiofrequency waves.

Annales chirurgiae et gynaecologiae · 2001 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 3909

The abstract states that survival rates after surgery are roughly comparable with those obtained with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) or radiofrequency (RF) ablation for early/intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma. It notes that survival curves with perc…

Study snapshot

PublicationAnnales chirurgiae et gynaecologiae · 2001
Study typereview
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

In the treatment of early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma the range of indications for percutaneous ablation techniques is becoming wider than surgery or intra-arterial therapies. Although it is understood that partial resection assures the highest local control, the survival rates after surgery are roughly comparable with those obtained with PEI or RF ablation. The explanation is due to a balance among advantages and disadvantages of the two therapies. Survival curves with percutaneous ablation techniques are better than curves of resected patients who present adverse prognostic factors, and this means that surgery needs a better selection of the patients. Indications for both of therapies are reported. An open question remains the choice among different ablation procedures. In our department we currently use RF ablation in the majority of patients but consider PEI and segmental TACE complementary, and use them according to the features of the disease and the response. In the treatment of colorectal metastases, the initial survival curves of RF ablation are promising. As treatment is size and site dependent, partial resection remains the gold standard. However, on the basis of the studies on "test of time", a possible candidate could be a patient presenting operable lesions with favourable criteria for a complete ablation. An interesting indication seems to be the treatment of breast liver metastases in selected patients.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview
Effect directionmixed
PopulationPatients with liver tumours (hepatocellular carcinoma; colorectal and breast liver metastases mentioned)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The abstract states that survival rates after surgery are roughly comparable with those obtained with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) or radiofrequency (RF) ablation for early/intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma. It notes that survival curves with percutaneous ablation techniques are better than those of resected patients with adverse prognostic factors, and that initial survival curves of RF ablation for colorectal liver metastases are described as promising, while partial resection remains the gold standard due to size/site dependence.

Outcomes measured

  • Survival rates/curves
  • Local control
  • Treatment indications/selection criteria

Limitations

  • No quantitative results reported in the abstract (e.g., effect sizes, confidence intervals).
  • Study design details and included evidence base are not described (appears narrative).
  • No exposure parameters for RF waves (frequency, power, SAR, duration) are provided.
  • No sample size or patient characteristics are provided.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "radiofrequency ablation (medical procedure)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with liver tumours (hepatocellular carcinoma; colorectal and breast liver metastases mentioned)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Survival rates/curves",
    "Local control",
    "Treatment indications/selection criteria"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The abstract states that survival rates after surgery are roughly comparable with those obtained with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) or radiofrequency (RF) ablation for early/intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma. It notes that survival curves with percutaneous ablation techniques are better than those of resected patients with adverse prognostic factors, and that initial survival curves of RF ablation for colorectal liver metastases are described as promising, while partial resection remains the gold standard due to size/site dependence.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No quantitative results reported in the abstract (e.g., effect sizes, confidence intervals).",
    "Study design details and included evidence base are not described (appears narrative).",
    "No exposure parameters for RF waves (frequency, power, SAR, duration) are provided.",
    "No sample size or patient characteristics are provided."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency ablation",
    "liver tumours",
    "hepatocellular carcinoma",
    "percutaneous ablation",
    "partial resection",
    "PEI",
    "TACE",
    "colorectal metastases",
    "breast liver metastases",
    "survival"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 11820410

Read the original paper →

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