<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<bold>Introduction</bold>: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading global cause of cancer-related deaths. Thermal ablation techniques, especially radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA), have become pivotal treatments for HCC. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare these modalities, highlighting their efficacy, strengths, and limitations in treating HCC.
<bold>Methods</bold>: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Springer, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and EMBASE) targeting studies on hepatocellular carcinoma with RFA and MWA. Heterogeneity analyses and pooled outcomes using random-effect models with were evaluated to compare both thermal ablation methods.
<bold>Results</bold>: Nine studies, which consists of 368 patients underwent RFA and 387 patients underwent MWA, were included in review. The findings showed no significant differences in pooled analysis of volume of ablation, complete ablation rate, local tumor progression, survival rates, major complications, and adverse events. Subgroup analysis showed significantly higher risk of local tumor progression in RFA in African populations.
<bold>Conclusion</bold>: No statistically significant difference was seen between outcomes across studies. MWA may offer a potential for longer therapeutic response with comparable risk of complications and adverse outcomes.
</abstract>

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading global cause of cancer-related deaths. Thermal ablation techniques, especially radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA), have become pivotal treatments for HCC. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare these modalities, highlighting their efficacy, strengths, and limitations in treating HCC.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Springer, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, Cochrane, and EMBASE) targeting studies on hepatocellular carcinoma with RFA and MWA. Heterogeneity analyses and pooled outcomes using random-effect models with were evaluated to compare both thermal ablation methods.
Results: Nine studies, which consists of 368 patients underwent RFA and 387 patients underwent MWA, were included in review. The findings showed no significant differences in pooled analysis of volume of ablation, complete ablation rate, local tumor progression, survival rates, major complications, and adverse events. Subgroup analysis showed significantly higher risk of local tumor progression in RFA in African populations.
Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was seen between outcomes across studies. MWA may offer a potential for longer therapeutic response with comparable risk of complications and adverse outcomes.

Comparative Efficacy of Microwave versus Radiofrequency Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading global cause of cancer-related deaths. Thermal ablation techniques, especially radiofrequency...

Comparative Efficacy of Microwave versus Radiofrequency Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials

Published Online: Jun 21, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Feb 08, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjim-2024-0022

Keywords
hepatocellular carcinoma, ablation, microwave, radiofrequency, meta-analysis

© 2024 Imelda Rey et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Comparative Efficacy of Microwave versus Radiofrequency Ablation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials

Published Online: Jun 21, 2024

Page range: -

Received: Feb 08, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjim-2024-0022

Keywordshepatocellular carcinoma, ablation, microwave, radiofrequency, meta-analysis

© 2024 Imelda Rey et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
hepatocellular carcinoma, ablation, microwave, radiofrequency, meta-analysis