SynthesisBMC gastroenterology2025
Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma at specific anatomic sites of the liver: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC gastroenterology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Combined imaging and serum biomarkers in CEUS-guided microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Pooled it
- Review
- Technical and clinical outcomes of microwave ablation for HCC: a single-center retrospective analysis of percutaneous ultrasound-guided, intraoperative ultrasound-guided and CT hepatic arteriography-guided approaches.La Radiologia medica · 2026Article
- Hepatectomy outperforms microwave ablation for colorectal cancer liver metastases, with anatomical location affecting ablation outcomes.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located at specific anatomical sites of the liver compared with non-specific sites.
methodsA systematic search was conducted across five databases, covering literature from database inception to September 30, 2024. Eligible studies included prospective and retrospective cohorts involving ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA for HCC. Data extraction and analysis were performed using Stata 15.1. The primary outcomes were 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates, complete ablation rates, and incidence of major complications. Pooled results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
resultsNine studies involving 2,381 patients were included. Among them, 1,047 patients had HCC located at specific anatomical sites, and 1,334 at non-specific sites. The pooled ORs (95% CI) for OS at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.89 (0.59-1.35), 0.83 (0.66-1.05), and 1.12 (0.91-1.38), respectively. The OR for complete ablation was 0.97 (0.61-1.53), and for major complications, 1.44 (0.59-3.51).
conclusionUltrasound-guided percutaneous MWA demonstrates comparable efficacy and safety for treating HCC at specific anatomical sites of the liver relative to non-specific sites, with no statistically significant differences in survival outcomes, ablation success, or complication rates.
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