Radiofrequency in the Management of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A 10-Year Experience at a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is the curative treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs), with five-year survival rates of 30-50%. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a local and useful alternative for patients with non-resectable CRLMs to obtain complete tumor clearance. The aim of this study was to analyze survival rates with this local treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent RFA and resection or RFA alone for unresectable CRLMs between 2001 and 2012 were included in a retrospective study. Descriptive and survival statistics were calculated. Morbidity, mortality, and recurrence were also analyzed.

RESULTS: The study involved 72 patients and 179 lesions. RFA was performed in 109 procedures. Mortality was 2.7% and morbidity was 25.7%. Local recurrence concerned 25.7% of lesions. Independent risk factors for recurrence were more than one CRLM (p= 0.0427) and size of largest CRLM greater than 3 cm (p= 0.0139). The five-year overall survival rate was 45.5% and the five-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 9.9%.

CONCLUSION: This study shows RFA has good oncological outcomes. The combination of RFA and resection is considered as a curative treatment for patients with unresectable CRLMs.