Radiofrequency ablation for metastatic hepatic tumor in colorectal carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat hepatic metastasis in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Between May 1999 and July 2002, a total of 45 tumors in 24 patients with colorectal cancer were treated with RFA. Thirteen patients received systemic chemotherapy after the RFA procedure. The ablation was performed percutaneously under ultrasound guidance using cool-tip or expandable electrodes and an RF generator. The medical records as well as the CT scan results taken every 3 months were retrospectively reviewed.

The median follow-up duration of the surviving patients was 11.7 months (4.6 approximately 32.2 months). Complete tumor necrosis was achieved in 17 patients (70.8%) on an immediate (<24 hrs) CT scan. The median survival was 17.1 months. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 80.5 and 25.8%, respectively. In a univariate analysis, complete necrosis, tumor size and post-RFA chemotherapy were significant factors for survival. Nineteen of the 24 patients developed a recurrence or progressed (79.2%). The median progression free survival was 5.5 months. There were no treatment related deaths or serious adverse effects, with the exception of one case of respiratory failure.

These results suggest that RFA is a well-tolerated and effective method to treat hepatic metastasis in colorectal carcinomas.