Radiofrequency ablation for liver metastases--mini invasive therapeutic option for patients with unresecable tumors

Radiofrequency ablations (RFA), a new therapeutic option for liver metastases, proceeded by open surgery or laparoscopic approach, provide an acceptable control of local tumor process, involved lower risks than resection surgery. We analyzed this procedure, for classic indication in hepatic metastatic tumors, based on four years experience, focused on perioperative complications, recurrence rate and long distant evolution. Between December 2006 and December 2010, 61 patients with liver metastases underwent RFA; 46 cases had metastatic lesions from colo-rectal cancer, 9 cases from breast cancer, 4 cases from gastric cancer and 2 cases from ovarian cancer. RFA was performed in 55 patients via open surgery and laparoscopic approach in 6 patients. Postoperative course was followed with CT scan at 1 month, and then at 3 month interval, in correlation with tumor markers level. Perioperative complications occurred in 8 cases, consist of prolonged fever, severe hepatic cytolysis, without other complications such, biliary tract injury, hemorrhage, and peritonitis; no mortality caused by RFA procedure. 10 cases had local recurrence, at 6 and 25 month after post RFA procedure. Initial experience shows that RFA is a safe procedure for treatment of liver metastases, with low rate of morbidity and local recurrence, indicated for patients with unresecable lesions or high risks for surgical resection.