[Results of local ablation therapy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer using radiofrequency ablation and microwave coagulation therapy (RFA/MCT)]

Abstract

In addition to hepatectomy and chemotherapy with intra-arterial infusion, local ablation therapy using RFA and MCT has been used for treatment of liver metastases derived from colorectal cancer. We investigated the results of local ablation therapy in such cases conducted at our department.

Subjects and methods: This study was conducted in 9 out of 21 patients with liver metastases derived from colorectal cancer, who underwent local ablation therapy with RFA from September 2001. As adjuvant therapy, the divided administration of low-doses CDDP/FU was conducted in all cases.

Results: RFA and MCT were used in 9 cases (25 lesions) and in 15 cases (82 lesions), respectively. The three cases of RFA were combined with MCT. The severity of liver metastasis was H1 and H2 in one case each and H3 in seven cases. The tumor diameter was 1.0-4.7 cm (mean, 2.7 cm) and patients underwent cauterization from 1-6 times (mean, 2.4 times). Although there were no critical complications, pyrexia and increased AST/ALT were found. The three-year survival rate was 50%, and thus favorable prognoses were obtained.

Conclusion: There were no notable complications associated with local ablation therapy for liver metastases derived from colorectal cancer, and this method was thus indicated to be effective for local control in cases in which hepatectomy is impossible.