Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Pulmonary Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma: Prognostic Determinants for Survival

Background Preliminary results have shown that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may play a useful role in patients with inoperable lung tumors. This series evaluated the prognostic features for survival in nonsurgical candidates who underwent percutaneous RFA of pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma.Methods Fifty-five patients not suitable for surgery underwent percutaneous RFA for colorectal pulmonary metastases. All clinical and treatment-related data were collected prospectively. The primary end point of the study was overall survival, defined from the time of RFA intervention. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify statistically significant prognostic parameters for overall survival.Results The overall median survival was 33 months (range, 4–40 months), with actuarial 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival of 85%, 64%, and 46%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that largest size of lung metastasis (P < .001), location of lung metastases (P = .032), and repeat percutaneous RFA for pulmonary recurrence (P = .024) were statistically significant for overall survival. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that largest size of lung metastasis >3 cm was independently associated with a reduced overall survival (P = .003).Conclusions Percutaneous lung RFA may play a useful role in nonsurgical candidates with colorectal pulmonary metastases. However, the survival benefit of this interventional procedure for patients with a pulmonary metastasis >3 cm was limited.