Radiofrequency ablation therapy combined with intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer

We performed radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy combined with intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for 7 patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Synchronous metastasis accounted for 5 cases and metachronous for 2 cases. Two cases were H1, 2 cases H2, and 3 cases H3. Following the resection of colorectal primary lesion, we performed RFA for liver metastasis, using a Cool-tip electrode purchased from Radionics (Burlington, MA, USA). The mean number of sessions per patient was 5.1 (1-10). Ablation time of each session was changed according to tumor size, as follows: less than 1 cm in diameter: 2 min, 2 cm: 5 min, 2.5 cm: 10 min. By using intra-operative catheterization, weekly intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was performed for liver metastasis. Excellent ablation was achieved in all cases by CT evaluation and no significant side-effect was observed. Average observation period was 15 months (maximal survival period was 31 months) and 6 patients are alive. RFA therapy combined with intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy achieved excellent therapeutic effect, and maintained good quality of life in patients.     

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer

The application of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer has not yet acquired an established status in clinical cancer therapy research. Removing as much tumor tissue as possible is desirable, but some cases do not allow optimal surgical ablation due to general condition of the patient and tumor status. We introduced endoscopic RFA for liver cancer in 2003, and have applied the procedure to 6 cases with H1 or H2 liver metastases of colorectal cancer to which surgical ablation could not be applied due to the poor general health of patients. Mean tumor diameter was 22.9 mm, and mean number of tumors per patient was 1.2. Tumor location was: S4, n = 2; S5, n = 1; S4, n = 1; S7, n = 2; and S8, n = 1. Mean frequency of session was 3.0. No complications occurred in any cases, and no reoperations were required. Although no recurrence of tumors in the vicinity of ablation was observed, 2 cases of each lung metastasis and intrahepatic recurrence were identified. Intrahepatic recurrence underwent hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy for simultaneous metastatic hepatic tumors (H2) prior to RFA, and relapses occurred in the metastatic focus where the efficacy of HAI was observed. At this point, 2 deaths were reported, 1 each from cancer and other diseases, and mean duration of survival after the procedure was 451.2 days. These results indicate that endoscopic RFA with good local control should be an available treatment for cases involving colorectal cancer with metastasis to the liver in which surgical ablation is difficult to apply.     

Percutaneous alcohol ablation for liver metastasis

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous alcohol injection (PAI) is used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma for lesions less than 3 to 5 cm in diameter. However, few studies in the literature have evaluated the place of PAI in the treatment of liver metastasis. Alcohol acts by causing coagulative necrosis, followed by the formation of fibrotic and granulomatous tissue and thrombosis of small vessels. The results of the various published studies are similar, with a complete necrosis rate lower than that obtained in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, in more than 50% of cases of liver metastasis less than 4 cm in diameter, complete necrosis can be obtained, and PAI would seem to be a reasonable option for the treatment of small metastases of colorectal or mammary origin and for endocrine tumors when surgery is contraindicated. PAI could be a valuable alternative in the treatment of selected small metastases of the liver. However, the new techniques of local tumor destruction (interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP), cryoablation, radiofrequency thermal ablation, and microwave destruction) will replace PAI for the treatment of liver metastasis in the near future.     

一期结直肠癌切除与射频消融治疗肝转移癌

目的:探讨一期结直肠癌切除与射频消融治疗肝转移癌的临床价值。方法:对5例术前确诊为结直肠癌,经CT和B超发现肝脏有转移病灶的患者,在行结直肠癌切除术后,同时在手术中一期完成B超或腹腔镜下多电极射频消融治疗肝转移癌。结果:5例患者随访3个月至29个月,其中1例病灶较大(直径6cm)者在术后 12个月死于肺转移及全身衰竭,另外4例术后已经分别生存3个月、6个月、22个月、25个月。结论:一期结直肠癌切除与射频消融治疗肝转移癌,具有疗效满意、方法安全、创伤小及痛苦小、避免二次剖腹手术等优点。     

Radiofrequency ablation permits an effective treatment for colorectal liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become an important adjunct to modern liver surgery. However, scant knowledge on long-term outcome of RFA for colorectal liver metastasis is available, nowadays. METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study of patients with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer who were treated by RFA between April 1, 1998, and November 30, 2004. Forty-seven patients with 147 liver metastases were treated with RFA in a total of 70 interventions. A metastasis resection was not feasible in 80% of the interventions. All the patients were followed up at regular intervals with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and laboratory tests including carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). RESULTS: No RFA-related mortality occurred. The median follow-up time after the diagnosis of liver metastasis was 33 months. The RFA-related morbidity was 7%. After the RFA, the expected median overall survival rate is, to date, 39 months. Overall survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 88%, 80% and 57%, respectively. Local recurrence rates reached 8.8% overall and 1.6% for metastasis smaller than 3cm in diameter. No local recurrence occurred for metastasis smaller than 3cm in diameter if treated with the newest RFA device. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent local tumour control was achieved with radiofrequency ablation of small liver metastasis. The expected overall survival rate of patients with RFA for unresectable or non-resected colorectal liver metastasis improved in comparison with the survival rate reported following the natural course (best supportive care) or chemotherapy. The low local recurrence rate of metastases of less than 3cm challenges the results obtained by the more invasive treatment of conventional liver surgery.     

左、右半结肠癌肝转移患者射频消融治疗疗效及生存的对比分析

目的:探讨原发部位分别位于左、右半结肠的结肠癌肝转移患者行超声引导下肝转移瘤射频消融术后的生存差异及预后影响因素分析。方法:回顾性分析2010年1月至2015年12月于我科行射频消融治疗的结肠癌肝转移患者100例,其中左半结肠癌62例,右半结肠癌38例,分析原发部位不同的结肠癌肝转移患者在进行超声引导下射频消融治疗后的生存情况。结果:左半结肠癌肝转移患者射频消融术后1、3、5年总体生存率及中位生存期均高于右半结肠癌肝转移患者（88.71% vs 73.68%、62.90% vs 30.02%、49.72% vs 26.33%、55个月 vs 23个月）,且二者生存曲线差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。经Log-rank检验及COX多因素分析,左、右半结肠癌肝转移患者射频消融治疗术后的生存情况存在差异。此外,原发灶淋巴结转移情况、患者术前CA199水平及原发灶分化程度是患者射频消融治疗术后生存情况的影响因素。结论:左半结肠癌肝转移患者射频消融术后整体生存率明显高于右半结肠癌肝转移患者,左半结肠癌与右半结肠癌肝转移患者在射频消融治疗术后生存状况存在明显差异。     

Traitement des métastases hépatiques par radiofréquence

Radiofrequency is a thermal ablative technique that is most often used percuteanously under image guidance. Thermal damage is obtained through frictional heating of a high frequency current. The maximal volume of destruction obtained in one radiofrequency delivery is around 4 cm and consequently, best indication for treatment are tumours below 3 cm. When compared, radiofrequency and surgical removal for tumours below 25 mm in diameter demonstrated a rate of incomplete resection/ablation of 6% and 7.3% respectively. Median survival after the first radiofrequency of a liver metastasis of CRC is reported to be 24 to 52 months with a 5 years overall survival of 18 to 44%. The median overall survival increases from 22 to 48 months depending on the use of radiofrequency ablation as rescue treatment after failure of others, or as a first line treatment. For patients with a single tumour, less than 4 cm, the survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years are respectively 97%, 84% and 40%, with a median survival of 50 months. Follow-up imaging requires to use contrast-enhanced CT or MRI, looking for local recurrences evidenced by local foci of enhancement at the periphery of the ablation zone.     

Complete response (CR) in a case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma by percutaneous multi-ablation therapy]

A 56-year-old male patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma by abdominal ultrasonography. The tumor was located in segment 7-1 and was 7 cm in diameter. Two transcatheter arterial chemoembolizations (TACE) were not effective. The patient had experienced more than ten fractures because of fibrous dysplasia of the bone. Laparotomy was very risky, so we decided to perform multi-ablation therapy. This therapy consists of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT). PEIT was applied to the lesion where extrahepatic the Glisson's capsule was near the tumor. After two sessions with these therapies, the tumor with the surrounding liver parenchyma turned necrotic. A complete response was obtained and the patient has been disease-free for 6 months. We conclude that our multi-ablation therapy is effective for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have therapeutic limitations because of some preoperative complications.     

乳腺癌的射频消融治疗2例报告并文献回顾

目的探讨超声引导下经皮射频消融对早期乳腺癌治疗的安全性和彻底性。方法2例穿刺病理确诊的乳腺癌患者接受了乳腺原发病灶的射频消融治疗,消融后3个月内接受了乳腺癌根治性手术,术后进行了常规病理检查。随访12个月行影像学检查。结果切除后病理检查显示病例一原发肿瘤长径小于2cm（1．6cm）的病理检查未见癌残留;病例二原发肿瘤大于2cm（2．5cm）的病例显示肿瘤中心区为坏死组织,范围约3．5cm,周边见少量导管内癌成分。两例患者目前术后随访1年复查,影像学检查未见局部复发或远处转移病灶。结论射频消融术为原发且长径小于2cm的早期乳腺癌患者提供了一个创伤更小且更为美观的治疗选择。     

Predictors of survival after radiofrequency thermal ablation of colorectal cancer metastases to the liver: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of survival at the time of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-five patients with colorectal liver metastases who were not candidates for resection underwent laparoscopic RFA. RESULTS: The median Kaplan-Meier survival for all patients was 28.9 months after RFA treatment. Patients with a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) less than 200 ng/mL had improved survival compared with those with a CEA more than 200 (34 v 16 months; P = .01). Patients with the dominant lesion less than 3 cm in diameter had a median survival of 38 v 34 months for lesions 3 to 5 cm, and 21 months for lesions greater than 5 cm (P = .03). Survival approached significance for patients with one to three tumors versus more than three tumors (29 v 22 months; P = .09). The presence of extrahepatic disease did not affect survival. Only the largest liver tumor size more than 5 cm was found to be a significant predictor of mortality by Cox proportional hazards model, with a 2.5-fold increased risk of death versus the largest liver tumor size less than 3 cm (P = .05). CONCLUSION: This study determines which patients do best after RFA. Historical survival with chemotherapy alone is 11 to 14 months, suggesting RFA has a positive impact on overall survival. Limited amounts of extrahepatic disease do not appear to affect survival adversely. RFA is a useful adjunct to chemotherapy in those patients with liver-predominant disease.     

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver tumors: a comparative study

BACKGROUND: This study compared the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases. METHODS: We compared the outcomes of 240 patients with HCC and 44 patients with liver metastases treated with RFA. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Effects of different variables on recurrences were studied. RESULTS: A total of 406 tumor nodules were treated. The median size of the largest ablated tumor was 2.5 cm, and the median tumor number was 1. Complete tumor ablation was achieved in 91.2%. Local recurrence rate was 15.4% after a median follow-up of 24.5 months. There was no significant impact of tumor pathology on local recurrence. However, patients with liver metastasis had higher extrahepatic recurrence rate (P = 0.019) and shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.007). Patients with multiple tumors had higher local (P = 0.047) and extrahepatic (P = 0.019) recurrence rates than those with a solitary tumor. Tumor size had an impact on local recurrence rate only in patients with liver metastasis with a higher rate in those with tumor > 2.5 cm in diameter (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor pathology does not appear to have a significant impact on local recurrence rates. RFA is effective in local tumor control for both HCC and liver metastasis.     

Pharmacokinetic and toxicodynamic evaluation of 5-fluorouracil administration after major hepatectomy in a rat model

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - Chemotherapy after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis has not been established, due to the toxic side effects, which are likely related to impaired...     

超声引导下射频消融治疗结直肠癌肝转移的疗效分析

【摘要】目的分析射频消融治疗对结直肠癌肝转移患者的疗效及安全性。方法回顾南京医科大学第一附属医院2017年1月至2020年1月期间接受肝转移灶射频消融治疗的49例结直肠癌患者临床资料，对射频消融前后肝转移灶大小变化、CT值以及血清肝功能指标、肿瘤标志物、淋巴细胞亚群水平的变化进行比较。结果射频消融术后2个月CT复查显示，肝转移灶长径之和虽有增加，但CT值明显下降（P＜001）；患者术后1个月复查血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶、乳酸脱氢酶、癌胚抗原、甲胎蛋白、糖类抗原CA19 9水平，以及淋巴细胞亚群中的CD3+、CD8+、CD4+等指标与术前比较差异均无统计学意义（均P＞005）。结论射频消融术对结直肠癌肝转移患者疗效明确，可明显降低肿瘤密度，减小肿瘤活性，同时对肝功能无明显影响，是一种治疗结直肠癌肝转移的有效手段，具有较高的临床应用价值。     

经皮射频毁损治疗肝脏肿瘤的近期疗效观察

目的：观察经皮射频毁损治疗肝脏肿瘤的近期疗效,探讨其最佳适应证和治疗相关因素。方法：应用RF2000型射频治疗仪、LeVeen多弹头射频电极,超声引导下经皮穿刺毁损,对60例肝脏肿瘤患者（87个肿瘤）进行了72次治疗,分别观察其毁损范围、AFP水平、肝功能反应、并发症等。结果：原发性肝癌肿瘤直径小于5cm者1次性完全毁损61.11%（11/18）,3例2次治疗1例完全毁损范围扩大,均未完全毁损;肿瘤直径5-10cm者31例2例1次性完全毁损（6.45%）,其余均大部或部分毁损,2次治疗6例毁损范围扩大,均未完全毁损;直径大于10cm者11例1次治疗仅部分毁损,2次治疗2例仍有较大肿瘤组织残余。转移癌均为多发,肿瘤结节2-8个不等,1次治疗均未完全毁损,1例2次治疗效果不明显。术后复查,38例原发性肝癌（PHC）AFP升高者,15例AFP明显降低（39.47%）,肿瘤直径小于5cm者AFP下降率为76.92%（10/13）,5例完全阴转（38.46%）。所有患者均出现轻度的肝功能损害;并发自限性腹腔出血2例,胆漏、气胸各1例;3例肝硬化明显、且毁损范围较大者并发中、少量腹水,内科治疗均恢复。结论：经皮射频毁损治疗肝脏肿瘤是一安全有效的治疗方法,直径小于5cm的PHC或转移癌多可完全毁损,直径大于5cm者分次治疗,能明显减小肿瘤体积。     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值对结肠癌肝转移射频消融术后肿瘤复发的 影响

目的:探讨外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）对结肠癌肝转移射频消融术后肿瘤复发的影响。方法:回顾性分析98例行射频消融术的结肠癌肝转移患者临床资料。单因素分析术前最大肿瘤直径、肿瘤数目、结肠癌病理分期、CEA水平、术前和术后NLR等对术后无瘤生存率的影响。有统计学意义的影响因素进入Cox回归模型行多因素分析。结果:1、3、5年的无瘤生存率分别为66.3%、 28.6%和17.3%。单因素分析显示术前NLR≥2.5和术后NLR升高影响术后无瘤生存率。NLR<2.5和NLR≥2.5的患者1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为77.4%、35.8%、22.6%和53.3%、20.0%、11.1%（P=0.044）。术后NLR升高和不升高的患者1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为52.3%、17.1%、8.6%和73.0%、34.9%、22.2%（P=0.022）。Cox回归分析显示仅术后NLR升高为影响结肠癌肝转移射频消融术后复发的独立危险因素（P=0.029）。结论:术前NLR≥2.5及术后NLR升高的结肠癌肝转移患者射频消融术后肿瘤复发的风险增加。     

A case of gastric cancer patient with liver metastasis treated by radiofrequency ablation therapy combined with intra-arterial chemotherapy

We performed radio-frequency ablation (RFA) therapy combined with intra-arterial chemotherapy for a 71-year old female gastric cancer patient with liver metastasis. She underwent total gastrectomy due to advanced gastric cancer in July of 1996. Because CT scans revealed multiple liver tumors with her, she also underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy comprising of 5-fluorouracil, cis-platinum and Leucovorin. Although her liver tumors decreased in size and number, after 9 months, we had to remove the catheter because of hepatic artery obstruction. Immediately after the removal, 5 hepatic metastases appeared, which were 3.5 cm in maximum diameter. After RFA therapy, CT scans revealed homogenously attenuated lesions. Liver biopsy demonstrated a complete coagulation necrosis. She is currently alive going into 19 months after liver metastasis and 7 months after RFA.     

Percutaneous laser ablation in patients with isolated unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer: Results of a phase II study

We prospectively evaluated the safety, local tumor control, and impact on survival parameters of percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) in patients with colorectal liver metastases not amenable to surgical resection. The study included 44 individuals with 75 unresectable liver metastases and no known extrahepatic disease. The median number of metastases treated for each patient was one, with a range of 1-4. Metastases had a median diameter of 3.4 cm (range 0.5-9 cm), and a median volume of 16.8 cm(3) (range 0.4-176.4 cm(3)). All patients also received systemic chemotherapy with modalities that differed according to the type of response to PLA. After treatment, 61% (46/75) of the tumors were ablated completely. The likelihood of achieving a complete ablation was significantly higher when metastases had a diameter <3.0 cm (p = 0.004). Overall survival was 30.0+/-12.7 months in patients with a complete ablation, and 20.2+/-10.2 months in those with a partial ablation (p = 0.002). There were no major complications during or after PLA, the most frequent side effect being abdominal pain that required analgesics. These findings indicate that PLA can be safely used as an adjunct to chemotherapy in unresectable colorectal liver metastases, and may have a positive impact on survival.     

A case of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for liver metastatic tumor from colorectal carcinoma

Hepatic resection is a first choice for resectable liver metastatic tumor from colorectal carcinoma. In the case of unresectable tumor or a refusal to operation, laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) becomes an option to treat. We report a case of laparoscopic RFA for liver metastatic tumor from colorectal carcinoma. A 74-year-old woman had a laparoscopic transverse colectomy for transverse colon cancer with multiple liver metastases in February 2009. She received UFT/LV and liver metastases were reduced. After the second course, the patient desired to stop chemotherapy. But the liver metastases had grown again. We recommended a hepatic resection. Since she didn't want to have the operation, we performed RFA. After the RFA, a liver metastasis was detected twice. After tumors were located near other organs, we performed a laparoscopic RFA. At 9 months after undergoing last RFA, she had no recurrence in the liver. We thought laparoscopic RFA was safe and effective for the lesion, which was difficult to treat with percutaneous approach RFA.     

Two cases of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation therapy

BACKGROUND: To date, several studies have evaluated an efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver tumor. However, there are few reports on RFA for metastatic pulmonary tumor. We experienced two patients whose pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer were treated with RFA. Case 1: A 70-year-old man who had undergone surgery for rectal cancer was followed up in our out-patient clinic. Eleven months after the surgery, a pulmonary metastasis 10 mm in diameter at the left S10 segment was found. Systemic chemotherapy started. However, the chemotherapy had to be stopped due to grade 3 neutropenia. So, 17 months after the surgery, RFA was performed for the pulmonary metastasis without any complications. Now, he remains in good condition without any evidence of pulmonary recurrence for 20 months after the RFA. Case 2: A 65-year-old man who had undergone sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer was followed up in our out-patient clinic. Ten months after the surgery, three pulmonary metastases were found. Systemic chemotherapy started. However, because of adverse events, the chemotherapy had to be stopped. So, 15 months after the surgery, RFA was performed for the pulmonary metastases. Slight pneumothorax, which was observed after RFA, was conservatively treated. Now, he remains in good condition without any evidence of pulmonary recurrence for 3 months after the RFA. CONCLUSION: RFA could be performed safely. Although a long-term prognosis after RFA remains unclear, it may be an effective and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of pulmonary metastasis.     

结直肠癌肝转移灶中PD-L1基因阳性患者肝切除后的预后相关因素

目的 探讨直肠癌肝转移灶中PD-L1基因阳性患者肝切除术后预后的相关因素。方法 回顾性分析68例以手术为主的个体化综合治疗结直肠癌肝转移灶中PD-L1基因阳性患者的临床资料,观察手术治疗后疗效及预后,分析相关因素。结果　单因素分析结果显示：无放疗、N分期、RAS基因突变状态、T分期、MMR表达缺失（dMMR）和Duck分期、肝转移灶最长径及肝转移间隔<1年差异有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。多因素分析显示：无dMMR（P=0.012）、Duck分期A（P=0.000）、肝转移间隔>1年（P=0.020）及肝转移灶最长径（P=0.006）为影响直肠癌肝转移灶中PD-L1基因阳性患者术后预后的保护因素。结论　直肠癌肝转移灶中PD-L1基因阳性患者的有效治疗仍是手术为主的个体化综合治疗,无dMMR、Duck分期A、肝转移间隔>1年及肝转移灶最长径≤5 cm是术后生存的保护因素。