Radiofrequency-ablation of unresectable primary and secondary liver tumors: results in 88 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency-ablation (RFA) is increasingly used for destruction of unresectable primary and secondary liver tumors. We report our experience in the use of RFA for the management of unresectable hepatic malignancies.


METHODS
Between February 2000 and December 2004 we have undertaken 120 RFA procedures to ablate 426 unresectable primary or metastatic liver tumors in 88 patients. RFA was performed via laparotomy (n=68), laparoscopy (n=9) or a percutaneous approach (n=43). Primary liver cancer was treated in seven patients (8%) and metastatic liver tumors were treated in 81 patients (92%). All patients were followed to assess complications, treatment response and recurrence of malignant disease.


RESULTS
Procedure-related complication rate was low (3.4%). During a mean follow-up of 21.2 months, 15 patients had local tumor progression (17%), 21 patients (23.9%) had new malignant disease and 27 patients (30.7%) died from intervention-unrelated complications of their malignant disease. Additional liver lesions were identified in 27 (35%) of 77 cases by intraoperative ultrasound. Thirty-six patients received simultaneous resection and RFA.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA is a safe, well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with unresectable primary and secondary liver malignancies.
Hildebrand
Philipp
P
Department of Surgery, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany. philipphildebrand@yahoo.com
Kleemann
Markus
M
Roblick
Uwe J
UJ
Mirow
Lutz
L
Birth
Matthias
M
Leibecke
Thorsten
T
Bruch
Hans-Peter
HP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome