Safety and efficacy of cryoablation of soft-tissue tumours: A systematic review Review


Authors: Bodard, S.; Marcelin, C.; Kastler, A.; Dimopoulos, P. M.; Petre, E. N.; Frandon, J.; Razakamanantsoa, L.; Cornelis, F. H.
Review Title: Safety and efficacy of cryoablation of soft-tissue tumours: A systematic review
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation (CA) of soft-tissue tumours [desmoid tumours (DTs), vascular malformations (VMs), and abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE)]. METHODS: This systematic review of studies published before January 2024 encompassed a detailed analysis of CA techniques and technical aspects for the treatment of soft-tissue tumours. Data concerning CA efficacy, complication rates, and other relevant metrics were extracted and included for analysis. RESULTS: The analysis included 27 studies totalling 554 CA procedures. For DT (13 studies, 393 sessions), CA showed an average pain reduction of 79 ± 17% (range: 57-100) and a lesion volume decrease of 71.5 ± 9.8% (range: 44-97). VM (4 studies, 58 sessions) had a 100% technical success rate and an average pain reduction of 72 ± 25% (range: 63-85). The average pain reduction for AWE (6 studies, 103 sessions) was 82 ± 13% (range: 62-100). Overall, the complication rate for CA was low, with minor adverse events (AEs) in about 20% of patients and major events in less than 5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Showing substantial efficacy in pain reduction and lesion volume decrease, as well as low incidence of severe AE, CA presents as a highly effective and safe alternative for the treatment of soft-tissue tumours. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: CA is effective and safe in treating soft-tissue tumours, particularly DT, VM, and AWE. © The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Institute of Radiology. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact
Keywords: treatment outcome; systematic review; surgery; cryoablation; soft tissue neoplasms; soft tissue tumor; cryosurgery; endometriosis; adverse event; procedures; humans; human; female; vascular malformation; desmoid tumour; abdominal wall endometriosis
Journal Title: British Journal of Radiology
Volume: 98
Issue: 1170
ISSN: 0007-1285
Publisher: British Institute of Radiology  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 861
End Page: 874
Language: English
DOI: 10.1093/bjr/tqae075
PUBMED: 38588564
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC12089779
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledge in the PDF -- Corresponding authors is MSK author: Francois H. Cornelis -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Elena Nadia Petre
    108 Petre
  2. Sylvain Bodard
    16 Bodard