title: Percutaneous microwave ablation combined with synchronous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases: results from a follow-up cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) combined with synchronous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was performed in 30 patients who were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA combined with synchronous TACE for colorectal cancer liver metastases from November 2011 to December 2014 in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. The response of the tumor to treatment was evaluated by follow-up computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Local tumor control, procedure-related complications, and long-term survival data were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 30 patients with 43 tumors ranging in size from 1.4 cm to 10.0 cm were analyzed. The patients' mean age was 61.6±10.3 years (range, 44.0-78.0 years). The median follow-up time was 26.5±10.4 months (range, 13.3-50.6 months). The complete ablation rate was 81.4% (35/43 lesions) for CRLM. Complete response was achieved in eight cases (26.7%), and partial response was achieved in 17 cases (56.7%) 1 month after the procedure. The objective response rate (complete response + partial response) was 83.4%. Progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.0 months and 11.0 months, respectively. The 12-month and 24-month survival rates were 46.7% and 25.4%, respectively. A total of 22 patients succumbed during follow-up due to tumor progression. No major complications or perioperative mortalities were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA combined with synchronous TACE therapy is a safe and effective modality for patients with CRLM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zeng-Bao
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zeng-Mei
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Si
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ling-Xiao
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xu-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Intervention Radiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guang-Zhi
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: colorectal liver metastases; microwave ablation; transcatheter arterial chemoembolization