Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of argon-helium cryoablation and its effects on the immune function of patients with neck malignant tumours.
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Single-institution academic tertiary care centre.
Methods: Totally, 180 patients harbouring head and neck malignant tumours were divided into the argon-helium cryoablation group (n = 150) and the radiotherapy group (n = 50). The efficacy of the two groups was compared, and the immune function was observed.
Results: The short-term clinical effect of the argon-helium cryoablation group was significantly higher than that of the radiotherapy group (P < .05). After treatment, the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ of the argon-helium cryoablation group were significantly better than those of the radiotherapy group (P < .001). The results of TNF-α, IL-1 β and CRP in the argon-helium cryoablation group were significantly better than that in the radiotherapy group (P < .001).
Conclusion: Argon-helium cryoablation could effectively improve the immune function, 5-year survival rate and local remission rate.
Keywords: argon-helium cryoablation; clinical efficacy; immune function; malignant tumour; neck; stereotactic radiotherapy.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.