title: [Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radio frequency ablation (RFA) of malignant tumours is a new and promising treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the method in patients with non-resectable liver tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  RFA was performed under the guidance of ultrasonography and general anaesthesia in 37 patients from December 1998 to November 2001. Six patients had primary liver cancers, and 31 metastases from other cancer, often colorectal cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients could not be evaluated because of the short follow-up time. Twenty-four of 29 patients (83%) achieved a complete tumour response. Twelve patients (41%) are alive after 3-28 (median 16) months, without recurrence. Twelve patients (41%) are alive after 1-34 (median 14) months, with recurrence. Five patients (14%) died after 4-26 (median 11) months, because of recurrence in the liver and/or other organs. Four patients had minor complications and one a major complication. There was no postoperative mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFA can be offered to patients with non-resectable liver tumours when it is technically possible. The treatment can be performed with few complications, requires only a short hospital stay, and is cheaper than other treatments. Prolonged survival is attained in 40-50% cent of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling, ultralydafdelingen, Amtssygehuset i Herlev.
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skjoldbye
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burcharth
authors.forename: Jan Kolind
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Flemming A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Moesgaard
authors.forename: Jan Reinhold
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Struckmann
authors.forename: Christian Pallson
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Nolsøe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D014463:Ultrasonography