DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven metastatic or primary malignant disease of the liver No extrahepatic regional or distant metastases No primary tumors commonly associated with local spread or metastases to other sites, e.g.: Gastric cancer Pancreatic cancer Breast cancer Lung cancer Liver lesions considered unresectable because of location in relation to major vascular structures or involvement of multiple hepatic segments Tumor extent and location such that cryosurgery expected to destroy all tumor and render patient disease-free Tumor volume no greater than 50% of total hepatic volume on CT No more than 12 lesions