Breast cancer metastases in liver: laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy--local tumor control rate and survival data.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the local tumor control rate and survival data for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser ablation of breast cancer liver metastases by using laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT).


METHODS
MR-guided LITT was performed in 232 female patients with 578 liver metastases from breast cancer. Survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Indications for the procedure were defined for patients with no more than five metastases, none of which were larger than 5 cm in diameter, as follows: recurrent liver metastases after partial liver resection (8.2%), metastases in both liver lobes (45.2%), locally nonresectable tumors (19%), general contraindications for surgery (2.6%), or refusal to undergo surgical resection (25%).


RESULTS
Local recurrence rate at 6-month follow-up after LITT was 2.3% (five of 213) for metastases up to 2 cm in diameter, 4.3% (seven of 162) for metastases 2-3 cm in diameter, 3.2% (two of 63) for metastases 3-4 cm in diameter, and 1.9% (one of 52) for metastases larger than 4 cm in diameter. No additional local tumor progression was observed beyond 6 months. The mean survival rate for all treated patients, with calculation started on the date of diagnosis of the metastases treated with LITT, was 4.9 years (95% confidence interval: 4.3, 5.4). The median survival was 4.3 years; 1-year survival, 96%; 2-year survival, 80%; 3-year survival, 63%; and 5-year survival, 41%. The mean survival after the first LITT treatment was 4.2 years (95% confidence interval: 3.6, 4.8).


CONCLUSIONS
MR-guided LITT yields high local tumor control and survival rates in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. M.Mack@em.uni-frankfurt.de.
Martin G
MG
Mack
Ralf
R
Straub
Katrin
K
Eichler
Oliver
O
Söllner
Thomas
T
Lehnert
Thomas J
TJ
Vogl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome