Radiofrequency ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumors--4 years experience

Abstract

Background/aims: Radiofrequency ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumors has been shown to be one of the promising new modalities to treat or to palliate liver tumors. It has been used as a bridge to liver transplantation as well as an approach to recurrent tumors after resection.

Methodology: We present a series of 78 cases, 39 females and 39 males with a mean age of 61 years, the RFA has been used either by laparotomy or percutaneously to treat 117 lesions. There were 32 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 35 metastases of colorectal cancer and 11 cases of other tumors.

Results: The mean number of lesions treated were 1.5 per case with a average size of 3.6 cm per lesion. All liver segments were compromised specially IV, VII, VIII. The morbidity was 28% and the mortality was 2.5%. In 20.5% of the cases we were able to find recurrence after the procedure, with a mean time of 10.5 months.

Conclusions: The RFA procedure is safe, can be performed by different ways and in the group of patients who are candidates to liver transplantation, while waiting for the organ. For the metastatic diseases it does not substitute surgery but can be used in patients who cannot be operated.