Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Hepatectomy for the Treatment of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Objective: We evaluated hepatectomy combined with radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer for which curative resection is difficult.

Methods: This study included 13 patients who underwent hepatectomy combined with RFA for liver metastases from colorectal cancer in or before 2015.

Results: In 11 patients who were determined to have achieved a complete curative resection, the 50%survival time was 35.4 months, and the 5-year overall survival (OS)rate was 33%. Recurrence at the RFA site was observed in 4 patients. There were 2 patients with a long-term survival of 5-years or longer. The reasons for concomitant use of RFA include deviation from the Makuuchi criteria in 4 patients, control of disease progression in 3 patients, non-curative surgery in 2 patients, difficulty in performing surgical procedures in 2 patients, and refusal by 1 patient, while the reason was unknown in 1 patient.

Conclusions: Hepatectomy combined with RFA was selected in patients in whom curative hepatectomy was impossible. Although their 5-year OS rate was lower than that of patients who undergo hepatectomy alone, local control was relatively favorable. Conclusions: These results suggest that hepatectomy combined with RFA for liver metastases from colorectal cancer might be effective in selected cases.