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.