Percutaneous interstitial laser hyperthermia in clinical use

Twelve patients were treated with laser-induced hyperthermia. Eight had liver metastases from breast cancer or colorectal cancer, and four were treated for a primary tumour, two in the liver, one in the biliary tract and one in the pancreas. The mean diameter of the metastases was 2.5 cm and of the primary tumours 4 cm. One patient was given ethanol injections before the treatment, and seven were treated with chemotherapy before and two after the treatment. At the time of writing this report, all the patients are still alive. The follow-up times vary from six months to five years. Treatment was technically possible in all cases. The smallest metastasis disappeared totally and, with the exception of a few larger tumours, they were reduced in size. There were no serious complications. The patients were treated percutaneously under ultrasonographic imaging in real time. Only minor side effects were seen, and the method is safe. Technically, laserthermia is easy to perform. A skillful radiologist is needed, and the presence of an anaesthetist makes it possible to safely treat tumours that can be reached only when respiration is controlled mechanically. Controlled, randomized studies are now needed to evaluate the method in comparison with other palliative treatment modalities.