Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases: experience in Hospital La Paz

Abstract

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation for patients presenting with non-resectable primary or metastatic liver tumours seems to be a valid therapeutic alternative. In the present study, we show a descriptive list of indications, results and complications of Radiofrequency Ablation Technique for treating non-resectable solid hepatic tumours.

Materials and methods: Twenty two patients were included in this study; eleven of them (50%) sustained liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma, ten patients (45.5%) had hepatocellular carcinoma and 1 patient had insulinoma.

Results: Local recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma was 22.7% and 27.3% for colorectal carcinoma, after a respective median follow-up of 21 and 14 months. Complications rate was 6.9% and technique-associated mortality rate was 0%.

Conclusions: Radiofrequency ablation is an easy to make, safe and useful technique for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumours.