Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer; Early Experience

Min, Byung So; Lee, Kang Young; Park, Jae Kun; Kim, Nam Kyu; Lee, Jong Tae; Min, Jin Sik

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of unresectable liver metastasis from colorectal cancer.
METHODS
From January 1999 to December 2000, we undertook 48 RFA procedures in 36 patients with unresectable metastatic liver tumor from colorectal cancer. RFA was performed either via celiotomy (n=23) or using a percutaneous approach (n=25) under ultrasound guidance using a LeVeen needle electrode and a RF 2000 generator. Patients were followed with spiral computed tomographic scans at 1 week after RFA.
RESULTS
RFA was performed in 15 patients with synchronous hepatic metastasis and 21 with metachronous hepatic metastasis. The mean tumor size was 3.1 cm (range; 0.5~7.2 cm). In 2 patients, complete ablation failed due to anatomic tumor location. Nine patients (25%) exhibited post RFA complications (9 cases of fever, 8 of abdominal pain, and 1 of hematoma) which showed spontaneous resolution and there was no treatment-related death. At a mean follow up of 10.1 months, 12 patients (33.3%) had recurred in the liver and 3 (8.6%) at the RFA site, while 16 (44.4%) remained clinically free of disease.
CONCLUSION
Although RFA is a relatively safe procedure in patients with unresectable hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer, the possible development of new metastatic disease after RFA is currently a limitation in this form of treatment. Further study on the efficacy of RFA versus other treatment modalities is needed.