Clinical short-term results of radiofrequency ablation in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency tumour ablation in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer who are not suitable for hepatic resection.


METHODS
Between April 2002 and January 2004, 18 patients underwent open radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for colorectal liver metastases. Median lesion size was 5.6 cm (range 3.0-8.0 cm). Patient's follow-up included ultrasound and computed tomography imaging at 3, 6 and 18 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Mean total procedure time was 86 min. The average hospital stay was 5 days. There was no treatment-related mortality. Twelve patients (66.7%) experienced mild right hypochondrium discomfort for 3 days and 6 patients (33.4%) low-grade fever for 4 days. Four patients died within 12 months with extrahepatic disease. In 4 patients lesions increased in size or new lesions developed, 7 patients are alive, symptom-free, with stable disease and 4 patients are free of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA is a safe, well tolerated procedure for the treatment of unresectable colorectal liver metastases.
Basdanis
G
G
1st Propedeutic Surgical Department, Aristotle University, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. basdanis@med.auth.gr
Michalopoulos
A
A
Papadopoulos
V
V
Tzeveleki
I
I
Efthimiadis
Ch
Ch
Kosmidis
Ch
Ch
Mekras
D
D
Harlaftis
N
N
D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome