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Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Liver Metastases from Neuroendocrine Neoplasm. A Retrospective Study for Safety and Effectiveness

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Interventional Oncology
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To retrospectively assess safety and efficacy of laser ablation (LA) of multiple liver metastases (LM) from neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN).

Methods

Twenty-one patients with NEN and at least 3 LM ≤ 4 cm in diameter underwent ultrasonography-guided LA. Up to seven LM were ablated in a single session; if the number of LM exceeded seven, the remaining LM were ablated in further LA sessions with a time interval of 3–4 weeks. LA was performed according to the multifiber technique. The patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT 1 month after LA, and were subsequently monitored every 3 months for the first 2 years and then every 6 months.

Results

In total, 189 LM were treated in 21 patients (mean 9 ± 8.2, median 6) in 41 LA sessions (range 1–5). The diameter of LM ranged from 5 to 35 mm (median 19 mm, mean 17.9 ± 6.4 mm). One grade 4 complication occurred (0.53%): a bowel perforation managed by surgery. Technical efficacy was 100%, primary efficacy rate 94.7%, and secondary efficacy rate 100%. Complete relief of hormone-related symptoms was obtained in all the 13 symptomatic patients. Median follow-up was 39 months (range 12–99). 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 95%, 86%, 66%, and 40%, respectively. Overall survival resulted higher for patients with Ki-67 expression ≤ 7% than for those with Ki-67 > 7% (p = 0.0347).

Conclusions

LA is a promising and safe technique to treat LM from NEN. A longer follow-up should provide definitive information on the long-term efficacy of this liver-directed therapy.

Level of Evidence

Retrospective study, local non-random sample, level 3.

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Funding

This study was not supported by any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Interventional Ultrasound, St. Anna Hospital, Via A. Moro 8, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Sergio Sartori, Paola Tombesi, Francesca Di Vece & Lara Bianchi

  2. Endocrinology Unit, St. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy

    Rosaria Ambrosio

Authors
  1. Sergio Sartori
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  2. Paola Tombesi
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  3. Francesca Di Vece
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  4. Lara Bianchi
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  5. Rosaria Ambrosio
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Correspondence to Sergio Sartori.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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This study has obtained institutional review board approval from the IRB of St. Anna Hospital, and the need for informed consent was waived.

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Sartori, S., Tombesi, P., Di Vece, F. et al. Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Liver Metastases from Neuroendocrine Neoplasm. A Retrospective Study for Safety and Effectiveness. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 42, 1571–1578 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02308-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02308-4

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