Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: time for shadows to disperse

Abstract

Background: Despite the advent of combination chemotherapy regimens achieved within the last decade, long term survival of patients with unresectable metastatic disease from colorectal cancer remains poor. Thermal ablation procedures, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are considered feasible options in treating unresectable hepatic tumors either primary (hepatocellular carcinoma) or metastatic, the latter mainly arising from colorectal cancer. Percutaneous access is the least invasive RFA procedure.

Methods & results: A MEDLINE review unfolded a significant clinical heterogeneity among published series reporting on percutaneous RFA in hepatic metastatic disease from colorectal cancer, regarding study population, optimal time and treatment schemes pre- and post-RFA intervention. Notwithstanding, percutaneous RFA survival figures were consistently better than front line chemotherapy. Furthermore, a pooled analysis of larger series demonstrated a clear benefit in overall survival (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.58).

Conclusion: Albeit optimal indications are still pending, percutaneous RFA should nonetheless be considered a viable option in patients with unresectable metastatic disease, as it may prolong survival rates achieved with standard chemotherapy.