INTRODUCTION: Liver resection in combination with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel approach in patients with colorectal liver metastases who are otherwise unresectable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with colorectal liver metastases were treated with surgical resection combined with RFA. All patients were followed prospectively with CT-scanning of thorax and abdomen during a 5-year period, 1, 4, 8 and 12 months after treatment and every 6 months thereafter for the following 4 years. Main outcome was recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Eleven male and 7 female patients with a median age of 65 years (41-78) were treated with combined surgery and RFA. 76 metastases were treated, 34 of these with resection. The median survival rate in the entire group was 35 months. 5-years overall survival was 34%. 12 patients had recurrence and were treated with multimodality therapy. CONCLUSION: Combined surgery and RFA treatment was a good alternative in a group of patients with colorectal liver metastases that were otherwise only suitable for systemic chemotherapy.
INTRODUCTION: Liver resection in combination with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel approach in patients with colorectal liver metastases who are otherwise unresectable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with colorectal liver metastases were treated with surgical resection combined with RFA. All patients were followed prospectively with CT-scanning of thorax and abdomen during a 5-year period, 1, 4, 8 and 12 months after treatment and every 6 months thereafter for the following 4 years. Main outcome was recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Eleven male and 7 female patients with a median age of 65 years (41-78) were treated with combined surgery and RFA. 76 metastases were treated, 34 of these with resection. The median survival rate in the entire group was 35 months. 5-years overall survival was 34%. 12 patients had recurrence and were treated with multimodality therapy. CONCLUSION: Combined surgery and RFA treatment was a good alternative in a group of patients with colorectal liver metastases that were otherwise only suitable for systemic chemotherapy.