Outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation of >5 versus ≤ 5 colorectal liver metastases: a propensity score matching study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives To investigate the effectiveness and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in patients with 1–5 colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) versus those with 6–9 CRLM.Methods Data from patients with 1–9 CRLM, who underwent ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous MWA between January 2018 and May 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) at a ratio of 1:2 was used to balance potential bias between the groups.Results Data from 264 patients were included in the analysis. After PSM, there were 43 and 75 patients in the CRLM >5 and ≤5 groups, respectively. Even with higher tumor burden and technical difficulty, there was no statistical difference in the local tumor progression (LTP)-free survival (LTPFS) between the groups (p > 0.05). Patients with an ablation margin (AM) ≤5 mm exhibited a significantly higher rate of LTP than those with AM >5 mm in both groups(p < 0.05). Patients with 6–9 CRLM experienced a higher incidence of intrahepatic recurrence (iHR) (p = 0.041) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) at any site (p < 0.05). CRLM > 5 is an independent risk factor for poor PFS (p = 0.008). The minor complication rate was lower in the CRLM ≤ 5 group (p < 0.05) and the major complication rate showed no difference (p > 0.05).Conclusions When the number of CRLM was limited to 9, single-session MWA was feasible and safe for radical local treatment. An AM >5 mm was critical for local tumor control. Compared with patients with 1–5 CRLM, those with 6–9 CRLM experienced inferior PFS at any site, which mainly lies in more iHR.
Authors: Jingwen Zhou, Si Qin, Rui Cui, Yao Chen, Yimin Wang, Guangjian Liu
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,557
Awards: G1992037904, G532655236
OpenAlex ID: W4409622225