结直肠癌肝转移的腹腔镜微创治疗

目的:探讨腹腔镜手术治疗结直肠癌肝转移的临床疗效。方法:回顾分析2008~2014年收治的62例结直肠癌并肝转移患者的临床资料,其中15例行腹腔镜切除结直肠癌同期行肝转移癌切除(手术组),47例患者采用腹腔镜切除结直肠癌同期行肝转移癌射频消融(radio frequency ablation,RFA)。结果:手术组手术时间平均(4.6±1.1)h,术中出血量平均(610±275)ml。RFA组手术时间平均(4.1±1.3)h,术中出血量平均(410±115)ml。两组3个月肝转移癌复发率相近,约1/3,手术组1年、3年、5年生存率分别为53%、50%、50%,RFA组分别为49%、48%、45%。结论:腹腔镜结直肠癌切除同期行肝转移癌切除及射频消融术患者创伤小、康复快,手术安全、有效,可避免二期手术的创伤,延长结直肠癌晚期患者的生存时间。     

射频消融对比手术切除治疗孤立性结直肠癌肝转移肿瘤的Meta分析

目的:比较射频消融(RFA)和手术切除对孤立性结直肠癌肝转移的疗效.方法:计算机检索国内外多个数据库,收集RFA和手术切除治疗孤立性结直肠癌肝转移的临床对照试验,按Cochrane系统评价方法对纳入研究的质量进行评价,用RevMan 5.0软件对资料进行Meta分析.结果:最终纳入9个研究,共1 259例患者,其中RFA 440例,手术切除819例.Meta分析结果显示,RFA患者较手术切除患者5年生存率明显降低(P=0.02),术后总体复发率(p=0.01)和局部复发率均明显增高(P=0.003);两者在治疗直径＜3 cm的肿瘤上术后5年生存率无明显差异(P=0.43).结论:手术切除治疗孤立性结直肠癌肝转移疗效优于RFA,但肿瘤直径＜3 cm时,可考虑采用RFA.     

结直肠癌肝转移复发再次肝切除术的疗效与预后分析

目的 探讨再次肝切除术在结直肠癌肝转移复发治疗中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析43例结直肠癌肝转移复发再次肝切除术和67例结直肠癌肝转移复发内科化疗的临床资料.结果 结直肠癌肝转移复发再手术组和化疗组1,3,5年生存率分别为83.7％,51.1％,27.9％和65.7％,20.6％,3.0％(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).再次肝切除组无手术死亡病例,并发症发生率为32.6％.单因素分析显示肝脏复发转移灶个数,切缘情况,CEA,肿瘤大小,肿瘤分化程度与预后有关.多因素回归分析结果表明,仅有肝脏复发转移灶个数和肿瘤大小为影响预后的独立因素.结论 再次肝切除术对于结直肠癌肝转移复发是安全的治疗方案,肿瘤负荷较小(癌直径＜5 cm和转移灶＜3个)的患者预后较好;再次手术可以延长结直肠癌肝转移复发患者的生存时间.     

超声引导射频消融治疗肝转移癌应用价值

目的探讨超声引导下射频消融(RFA)治疗肝转移癌适应症选择、治疗方案及疗效的应用价值。方法 36例82个病灶经临床及病理确诊并拟行RFA者进入本研究;肿瘤平均直径(3.8±1.2)cm,≥4cm肿瘤47.5%(39/82灶),单发肿瘤30.5%(11例)。例行超声造影或增强CT检查,根据造影灌注特征及病灶数目、大小形态、浸润范围、位置、与周围结构关系等,确定RFA适应证,其中31例为常规超声引导下经皮射频消融治疗、3例为术中开腹后行射频消融治疗、2例为腹腔镜下射频消融治疗。均经1~3个月超声造影或增强CT随访评价疗效。结果 36例82个灶根据造影结果制定方案行RFA分期治疗及扩大消融治疗。肿瘤灭活率为95.1%(78/82灶),局部复发率7.3%(6/82),新生转移率38.8%(14/36例)。结论超声引导下射频消融治疗肝转移癌,可应用经皮、术中及腹腔镜下多种方式行消融治疗,超声及超声造影为肝转移癌适应证选择和治疗方案制定提供参考依据,从而有效提高疗效并降低复发率,是RFA治疗肝转移癌重要的辅助方法。     

腔镜下微波消融联合术后经脐静脉插管化疗治疗结直肠癌肝转移

目的探讨腹腔镜结直肠癌切除及脐静脉插管同期微波消融联合术后化疗治疗肝转移的临床疗效。方法在腹腔镜下对1I例结直肠癌肝转移行结直肠癌切除及经肝圆韧带脐静脉插管置泵,同期行肝脏转移瘤微波消融治疗,术后辅以经化疗泵介入化疗。比较治疗前后肿瘤直径大小、血供及坏死情况。结果本组治疗前CT检测转移瘤直径为（4．2±2．5）cm,治疗后为（2．5±1．2）cm,转移瘤结节完全坏死8例（72．7％）。随访时间〉6个月者10例,生存10例;随访时间〉12个月者8例,生存6例。结论腹腔镜结直肠癌切除及脐静脉插管同期微波消融联合术后化疗治疗肝转移的疗效好,值得临床推广。     

射频消融治疗最大径≤5cm的结直肠癌肝转移肿瘤的远期疗效初步观察

结直肠癌肝转移(colorectal liver metastases,CLM)是导致结直肠癌患者死亡的最主要原因[1-2].射频消融( radiofrequency ablation,RFA)是应用最为广泛的肝肿瘤局部治疗手段,具有疗效确定、安全性高、创伤小、可重复治疗等优势.近年来,RFA被越来越多地应用于CLM的治疗,初步显现了良好的疗效.但由于研究的纳入标准和时间跨度有较大不同,结果差异较大[3-5],RFA在CLM综合治疗中的地位仍需探讨[2,5].近10年来,我科应用RFA治疗43例最大径≤5 cm、癌灶≤2个的CLM,获得了满意的疗效,现报告如下.     

腹腔镜下结直肠癌合并肝转移癌一期同时切除术的临床分析

目的探究腹腔镜下结直肠癌合并肝转移癌一期同时切除术的安全性及可行性。方法选取68例2012年11月~2015年6月至我院以及中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院胃肠外科二区就诊的结直肠癌合并肝转移癌患者,将所有患者分为两组,观察组34例,对照组34例。观察组采取腹腔镜下结直肠癌合并肝转移癌同期切除术,对照组采取传统的开腹结直肠癌合并肝转移癌同期切除术。记录两组患者术中出血量、手术时间、术后排气时间、总住院时间、术后并发症,对两组疗效、总生存期和无瘤生存期进行分析。结果观察组术中出血量、手术时间、术后排气时间、总住院时间与对照组相比,有统计学意义(P0.05);虽然观察组的术并发症比对照组低,但两组术后并发症比较无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论全腹腔镜下结直肠癌合并肝转移癌一期联合切除安全可行,总体临床效果优于开腹手术。     

结直肠癌肝转移不同治疗方式的预后比较

目的探讨不同治疗方式对结直肠癌肝转移生存时间和无复发生存时间的影响。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2013年5月期间解放军总医院收治的71例结直肠癌肝转移患者的临床资料,分析干预对结直肠癌肝转移患者生存时间和无复发生存时间的影响。结果 71例结直肠癌肝转移患者的原发灶均行根治性切除。对肝转移灶,20例未予干预(未干预组);20例行肝转移灶切除,20例行射频消融,11例行肝转移灶切除+射频消融(所有接受干预的患者为干预组)。Cox比例风险模型结果显示,在控制其他因素的情况下,干预对生存(HR=1.724,P=0.043)和无复发生存(HR=0.701,P=0.048)均有影响,接受干预患者的生存情况和无复发生存情况较好。结论在对结直肠癌行根治性手术的条件下,对结直肠癌肝转移灶给予干预措施可以延长结直肠癌肝转移患者的生存时间和无复发生存时间。     

单发转移性肝癌的诊断和治疗

目的　探讨单发转移性肝癌的诊断和治疗。方法　回顾性总结分析 1年半来治疗 1 0例患者的临床资料。结果1 0例患者入院后确诊为转移性肝癌 ,肝脏转移灶均为单发 ,肿瘤直径在 4 .5～ 1 2 .4 cm ,平均 7.8± 2 .5 cm。 2例来自胃癌 ,7例来自结直肠癌 ,1例来自恶性淋巴瘤 ,门诊误诊率高达 6 0 %。 9例患者均同期行肝转移癌切除及胃肠道肿瘤切除术 ,手术顺利 ,无 1例出现手术并发症。结论　单发肝转移癌发病率低 ,容易误诊 ,医师对本病认识不足以及临床思维的局限是导致误诊的主要原因。治疗首选肝转移灶和原发灶肿瘤同期切除     

超声造影引导射频消融治疗肝转移癌疗效

目的 探讨超声造影引导经皮射频消融治疗肝转移癌的疗效及应用价值.方法 选择射频消融治疗前用造影剂(SnonVue)行超声造影检查的136例(219个肝转移癌灶)患者为研究对象,肿瘤直径(3.2±1.2)cm,其中48.5%(66例)最大肿瘤直径≥3 cm;单发肿瘤占57.4%(78例).治疗后行增强CT和(或)MRI、实验室检查等定期随访判断疗效.结果 超声造影检查的136例患者中,2例患者治疗前常规超声未显示肿瘤,有47.0%(63/134)的患者其最大肿瘤直径较常规超声测量值增大0.3 cm以上;有18.4%(25/136)的患者其肿瘤数目较常规超声增多(共计40个肿瘤).本组患者随访3～68个月(中位随访时间12个月),射频消融治疗后1个月肿瘤早期灭活率为98.2%(215/219).本组肝转移癌的局部复发率、肝内转移癌新生率及肝外转移率分别为16.9%(23/136)、38.2%(52/136)及8.8%(12/136),其中局部复发和(或)肝内转移癌新生均发生在治疗后2～25个月,中位时间6个月.最大肿瘤直径≥3 cm的患者与<3 cm的患者的局部复发率分别为22.7%(15/66)及11.4%(8/70),差异无统计学意义(P=0.079);单发肝转移癌患者的肝内转移癌新生率明显低于多发肝转移癌[25.6%(20/78)比55.2%(32/58)],差异有统计学意义(P=0.000).本组患者1、2、3年的生存率分别为82.5%、64.3%及50.1%,1、2、3年无局部复发生存率分别为67.7%、53.8%及38.3%.单发肝转移癌患者的生存率高于多发患者(P=0.034).结论 超声造影引导经皮射频消融治疗肝转移癌可获得较高生存率,有较重要的临床应用价值.     

Recurrence and outcomes following hepatic resection, radiofrequency ablation, and combined resection/ablation for colorectal liver metastases

OBJECTIVE: To examine recurrence and survival rates for patients treated with hepatic resection only, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) plus resection or RFA only for colorectal liver metastases. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Thermal destruction techniques, particularly RFA, have been rapidly accepted into surgical practice in the last 5 years. Long-term survival data following treatment of colorectal liver metastasis using RFA with or without hepatic resection are lacking. METHODS: Data from 358 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases treated for cure with hepatic resection +/- RFA and 70 patients found at laparotomy to have liver-only disease but not to be candidates for potentially curative treatment were compared (1992-2002). RESULTS: Of 418 patients treated, 190 (45%) underwent resection only, 101 RFA + resection (24%), 57 RFA only (14%), and 70 laparotomy with biopsy only or arterial infusion pump placement ("chemotherapy only," 17%). RFA was used in operative candidates who could not undergo complete resection of disease. Overall recurrence was most common after RFA (84% vs. 64% RFA + resection vs. 52% resection only, P < 0.001). Liver-only recurrence after RFA was fourfold the rate after resection (44% vs. 11% of patients, P < 0.001), and true local recurrence was most common after RFA (9% of patients vs. 5% RFA + resection vs. 2% resection only, P = 0.02). Overall survival rate was highest after resection (58% at 5 years); 4-year survival after resection, RFA + resection and RFA only were 65%, 36%, and 22%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Survival for "unresectable" patients treated with RFA + resection or RFA only was greater than chemotherapy only (P = 0.0017). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for colorectal liver metastases. RFA alone or in combination with resection for unresectable patients does not provide survival comparable to resection, and provides survival only slightly superior to nonsurgical treatment.     

Clinical short-term results of radiofrequency ablation in primary and secondary liver tumors.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is emerging as a new therapeutic method for management of solid tumors. We report here our experience in the use of this technique for management of primary and secondary unresectable liver cancers. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with liver cancers were considered not suitable for curative resection at presentation: 8 with primary hepatocellular carcinoma ([HCC] 6 HCC and 2 fibrolamellar); 27 with metastatic liver cancer (17 colorectal carcinoma and 10 others). They were treated either with radiofrequency heat ablation (Radionics Europe N.V., Wettdren, Belgium) alone percutaneously and/or intraoperatively or in conjunction with surgical resections. The quality of RFA was based on the subjective feeling of whether the tumor was completely destroyed or not. The effectiveness of RFA was assessed according to clinical findings, radiographic images, and tumor markers at follow-up. RESULTS: In 8 primary liver cases, 4 patients with a high level of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) benefited from the RFA with a 83.3% to 99.7% reduction of AFP. One with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma died 2 months after an incomplete percutaneous RFA from recurrence. The rest all had stable disease at the time of follow-up (mean 10.4 months). In patients with colorectal liver metastases, there were 4 deaths: 1 patient died postoperatively on the 30th day from a severe chest infection having shown a considerable reduction of carcinoembryonic antigen level (CEA, 8 versus 36 microg/L); 3 died from local and systemic disease, 1 at 12 months and 2 at 1 month, having had an incomplete RFA. The others had stable disease at follow-up (mean 7.6 months). Five patients underwent liver resections successfully with the application of RFA for residual lesions in the remaining contralateral lobe. In 10 patients with other liver tumors, 7 patients had stable disease at follow-up (mean 13.4 months); 1 patient had evidence of local and systemic recurrence 10 months after surgical resections with the intraoperative RFA and 2 patients died of systemic recurrence of disease 3 and 6 months after RFA alone. Two patients had liver resections in conjunction with the intraoperative RFA. The mean follow-up in our series was 8.5 months. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency heat ablation is useful as a primary treatment for unresectable liver cancers. The procedure can be used to treat the small residual tumor load in the contralateral lobe following liver resection in those considered unresectable at the first presentation. This new therapeutic strategy seems to increase surgical resectability in patients judged unresectable.     

Radiofrequency Ablation for Metachronous Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer after Curative Surgery

Background We compared outcomes of surgery and radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in patients with metachronous liver metastases. Methods Between October 1995 and December 2005, 59 patients underwent hepatic resection and 30 underwent RFA for metachronous liver metastases. Patients with extra-hepatic metastases, those who underwent both types of treatment, and those with synchronous hepatic metastasis were excluded. Results The two groups had similar mean age, sex ratio, comorbid medical conditions, primary disease stage, and frequency of solitary metastases. Preoperative mean serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was significantly higher in the RFA group (13.4 ng/mL vs. 7.7 ng/mL; p = 0.02). Mean diameter of hepatic metastases was significantly greater in the resection than in the RFA group (3.1 cm vs. 2.0 cm; p = 0.001). Recurrence after treatment of metastasis was observed in 18 of 30 (60.0%) RFA and 33 of 59 (56%) resection patients. Local recurrence at the RFA site was observed in 7 of 30 (23%) patients. Time to recurrence (15 vs. 8 months, p = 0.02) and overall survival (56 vs. 36 months, p = 0.005) were significantly longer in the resection than in the RFA group. In the 69 patients with solitary metastases of diameter ≤3 cm, time to recurrence (p = 0.004) and overall survival were significantly greater in the resection group. Conclusions Compared with hepatic resection, RFA for metachronous hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer was associated with higher local recurrence and shorter recurrence-free and overall survival rates, even in patients with solitary, small (≤3 cm) lesions.     

结直肠癌切除同期射频消融联合化疗治疗肝转移

目的：探讨结直肠癌切除同期射频消融联合化疗治疗肝转移的临床疗效。方法：对39例病人先行原发肿瘤的切除，同期行射频消融联合化疗治疗肝转移，以螺旋CT增强扫描为主结合彩超综合评价治疗效果。结果：39例共82个肝转移病灶，完全坏死率85％。随访时间〉6个月者3l例，生存27例；随访时间〉12个月11例，生存8例。结论：结直肠癌切除同期射频消融联合化疗治疗肝转移的疗效较好，值得临床推广。     

Rates and Patterns of Recurrence for Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation and Open Wedge Resection for Solitary Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Introduction The purpose of this study was to compare rates and patterns of disease progression following percutaneous, image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and nonanatomic wedge resection for solitary colorectal liver metastases. Methods We identified 30 patients who underwent nonanatomic wedge resection for solitary liver metastases and 22 patients who underwent percutaneous RFA because of prior major hepatectomy (50%), major medical comorbidities (41%), or relative unresectability (9%). Serial imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of local tumor progression. Results Patients in the RFA group were more likely to have undergone prior liver resection, to have a disease-free interval greater than 1 year, and to have had an abnormal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level before treatment. Two-year local tumor progression-free survival (PFS) was 88% in the Wedge group and 41% in the RFA group. Two patients in the RFA group underwent re-ablation, and two patients underwent resection to improve the 2-year local tumor disease-free survival to 55%. Approximately 30% of patients in each group presented with distant metastasis as a component of their first recurrence. Median overall survival from the time of resection was 80 months in the Wedge group vs 31 months in the RFA group. However, overall survival from the time of treatment of the colorectal primary was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Local tumor progression is common after percutaneous RFA. Surgical resection remains the gold standard treatment for patients who are candidates for resection. For patients who are poor candidates for resection, RFA may help to manage local disease, but close follow-up and retreatment are necessary to achieve optimal results. Presented at the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract 47th Annual Meeting, May 22, 2006, Los Angeles, California. White and Avital contributed equally.     

Hanging maneuver in right hepatectomy for recurrent metastases with diaphragmatic infiltration after radiofrequency ablation: a new indication

The liver hanging maneuver is a safe technique to prevent bleeding during transection when a right hepatectomy by an anterior approach, without previous mobilization of the liver, is required. This article proposes a new indication for this technique. The liver hanging maneuver may be useful during right hepatectomy for local recurrence of liver metastases previously treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In these cases, necrosis or fibrosis induced by RFA and local recurrence may cause strong adhesions between liver parenchyma and the diaphragm, thus increasing the risk of bleeding during liver mobilization. Between January 2003 and March 2006, seven patients with recurrent colorectal liver metastases of the right hemiliver, after previous treatment by RFA, underwent right hepatectomy. Liver resection was feasible with the proposed technique in all patients. In four cases, a limited diaphragmatic resection was associated. There was no mortality. Postoperative morbidity was 42.8 per cent. An anterior approach with the liver hanging maneuver for recurrent liver metastases after RFA should be recommended when the metastases are located posteriorly, are not detachable from the diaphragm, and the preliminary mobilization of the right liver may be difficult.     

The management of solitary colorectal liver metastases

Surgical resection of solitary colorectal liver metastases is associated with long-term survival. Radiofrequency ablation used as the primary treatment option of solitary resectable colorectal liver metastases is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence that generally leads to worse survival compared to resection. In contrast with treatment of other hepatic malignancies, radiofrequency ablation is not equivalent to resection for colorectal liver metastases and should not be used as an alternative but limited to inoperable patients. Although overall survival rate after resection can be up to 71% at 5 years, the majority of patients develop recurrence. Preoperative chemotherapy contributes to decrease the risk of recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases. In patients with advanced solitary colorectal liver metastasis initially non suitable for resection, chemotherapy and portal vein embolization contribute to increase the number of surgical candidates whereas radiofrequency is rarely an option.     

Surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

We analyze our experience over a 10-year period in the surgical treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Between 01.01.1995 and 08.31.2005 189 liver resections were performed in 171 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer (16 re-resections - 2 in the same patient and a "two-stage" liver resection in 2 patients). In our series there were 83 patients with synchronous liver metastases (69 simultaneous resections, 12 delayed resections and 2 "two-stage" liver resection were performed) and 88 metachronous liver metastases. Almost all types of liver resections have been performed. The morbidity and mortality rates were 17.4% and 4.7%, respectively. Median survival was 28.5 months and actuarial survival at 1-, 3- and 5-year was 78.7%, 40.4% and 32.7%, respectively. Between January 2002 and August 2005 hyperthermic ablation of colorectal cancer liver metastases has been performed in 6 patients; in other 5 patients with multiple bilobar liver metastases liver resection was associated with radiofrequency ablation and one patient underwent only radiofrequency ablation for recurrent liver metastasis. In conclusion, although the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases is multimodal (resection, ablation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy), liver resection is the only potential curative treatment. The quality and volume of remnant liver parenchyma is the only limitation of liver resection. The morbidity, mortality and survival rates after simultaneous liver and colorectal resection are similar with those achieved by delayed resection. Postoperative outcome of patients with major hepatic resection is correlated with the surgical team experience. The long-term survival was increased using the new multimodal treatment schemes.     

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation of liver tumors: Percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical approaches

Only 10% to 20% of patients with primary and colorectal metastatic liver tumors are candidates for curative surgical resection. Even after curative treatment, tumors recur commonly in the liver. As a less invasive therapy, radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) of primary, metastatic, and recurrent liver tumors was performed under percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open intraoperative ultrasound guidance. The safety and local control efficacy of RFA were investigated. RFA was performed mostly in patients with unresectable hepatomas or metastatic liver tumors. Patients with large tumors, major vessel or bile duct invasion, limited extrahepatic metastases, or liver dysfunction were not excluded. An RFA system with a 15-gauge electrode-cannula with four-pronged retractable needles was used. All patients were followed for more than 8 months to assess morbidity and mortality, and to determine tumor recurrence. Sixty RFA operations were performed in 46 patients: 11 patients underwent repeat RFA once or twice. A total of 204 tumors were treated: 70 hepatomas and 134 metastatic tumors. Tumor size ranged from 5 mm to 180 mm (mean 36 mm). RFA was performed in 29 operations for 81 tumors percutaneously, in seven operations for 14 tumors laparoscopically, and in 24 operations for 109 tumors by open surgery. Combined colorectal resection was carried out in five operations and combined hepatic resection was carried out in three operations. There was one death (1.7%) from liver failure, and there were three major complications (5%): one case of bile leakage and two biliary strictures due to thermal injury. There were no intra-abdominal infectious or bleeding complications. The length of hospital stay ranged from 0 to 2, 1 to 3, and 4 to 7 days for percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical RFA, respectively. During a mean follow-up period of 20.5 months, local tumor recurrence at the RFA site was diagnosed in 18 (8.8%) of 204 tumors. The risk factors for local recurrence included large tumor size and major vessel invasion: recurrence rates for tumors less than 4 cm, 4 to 10 cm, and greater than 10 cm, and for those with vessel invasion were 3.3%, 14.7%) 50%) and 47.8%) respectively. Ten of 18 tumors recurring locally were retreated by RFA, and eight of them showed no further recurrence. Ultrasound-guided RFA is a relatively safe, well-tolerated, and versatile treatment option that offers excellent local control of primary and metastatic liver tumors. The appropriate use of percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical RFA is beneficial in the management of patients with liver tumors in a variety of situations.     

Radiofrequency ablation for unresectable tumors of the liver

Surgical resection of primary or metastatic tumors of the liver offers patients the best long-term survival. Liver resections may not be appropriate in patients with bilobar metastases, liver dysfunction, or severe comorbidities. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a technique used to destroy unresectable hepatic tumors through thermocoagulation. We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients undergoing RFA with unresectable hepatic tumors for local recurrence and overall survival. Under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, all patients treated with RFA at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from September 1, 1998, to June 15, 2005, were identified. During this time period, 189 lesions in 107 patients were treated with RFA. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed. Data is presented as mean +/- SEM. Significance is defined as P < 0.05. Patient demographics revealed 62 per cent males and 38 per cent females with a mean age of 59 (+/- 1) years. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represented 54 per cent of the tumors treated. Metastatic colorectal cancer represented 22 per cent and the remaining 24 per cent were other metastatic tumors. Overall recurrence rates for all tumors after RFA was 53 per cent. Local recurrence rates for HCC, colorectal cancer, and other metastatic lesions were 27.6 per cent, 29.1 per cent, and 52 per cent, respectively. The morbidity rate for the procedure was 11 per cent. There was one mortality (0.9%) related to RFA. Laparoscopic RFA for HCC in Childs-Pugh Class C cirrhotics (n = 6) resulted in 50 per cent of patients being transplanted with no evidence of disease at a mean follow-up period of 14 months. RFA is a safe and effective way for treating HCC and other unresectable tumors in the liver that are not eligible for hepatic resection. More effective control of systemic recurrence will dictate survival in the majority of patients with metastatic cancers. Local ablation for HCC in cirrhotic patients may be an effective bridge to transplantation. Liver transplantation may still be the most effective long-term treatment for localized HCC.