title: Radiofrequency ablation of colorectal liver metastases: small size favorably predicts technique effectiveness and survival.
abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze long-term results of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for colorectal metastases (MTS), in order to evaluate predictors for adverse events, technique effectiveness, and survival. One hundred ninety-nine nonresectable MTS (0.5-8 cm; mean, 2.9 cm) in 122 patients underwent a total of 166 RFA sessions, percutaneously or during surgery. The technique was "simple" or "combined" with vascular occlusion. The mean follow-up time was 24.2 months. Complications, technique effectiveness, and survival rates were statistically analyzed. Adverse events occurred in 8.1% of lesions (major complication rate: 1.1%), 7.1% with simple and 16.7% with combined technique (p = 0.15). Early complete response was obtained in 151 lesions (81.2%), but 49 lesions (26.3%) recurred locally after a mean of 10.4 months. Sustained complete ablation was achieved in 66.7% of lesions < or = 3 cm versus 33.3% of lesions > 3 cm (p < 0.0001). Survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 91%, 54%, and 33%, respectively, from the diagnosis of MTS and 79%, 38%, and 22%, respectively, from RFA. Mean survival time from RFA was 31.5 months, 36.2 in patients with main MTS < or = 3 cm and 23.2 in those with at least one lesion > 3 cm (p = 0.006). We conclude that "simple" RFA is safe and successful for MTS < or = 3 cm, contributing to prolong survival when patients can be completely treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Radiology, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, TO, Italy. andrea.veltri@unito.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sacchetto
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tosetti
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pagano
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandini
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome