Radio-frequency ablation of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background

The aim of our study is to present the preliminary results of an ongoing radio-frequency (RF) ablation study in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Patients and methods

From November 2003, two patients affected with metachronous liver metastases from colorectal cancer were treated with RF ablation. The mean age of the patients was 66 years (58 and 74 years). Tumours were unifocal right-lobe lesions in one patient and bifocal in the second patient. Under general anaesthesia, a Radionics 200-W RF generator was used to ablate lesions with H₂O-cooled electrodes via laparotomy. Patients’ follow-up ranged from two to five months including evaluation of salient clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters.

Results

The patients experienced moderate-to-severe pain in the right abdomen lasting for 2–3 days and mild fever for 3–6 days after treatment. During the follow-up period no local recurrence was observed.

Conclusions

RF ablation emerges to be a promising method for the treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.