Work

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for patients with colorectal liver metastases ≥5 lesions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) ≥5 lesions.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 492 patients with CRLM who underwent RFA in our center from January 2018 to July 2023. The clinical baseline characteristics of the CRLM ≥ 5 group and CRLM < 5 group were balanced by propensity score matching. Survival curves were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to determine prognostic factors.Results A total of 69 patients were enrolled after 1:2 matching, including 23 patients in CRLM ≥ 5 group and 46 patients in CRLM < 5 group. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.0%, 24.9%, 24.9% in CRLM ≥5 group and 97.8%, 51.6%, 37.4% in CRLM < 5 group, respectively. The OS of CRLM ≥ 5 group was shorter than that of CRLM < 5 group (median survival 21.0 ± 3.7 months vs 44.0 ± 7.9 months, p = 0.007). The rates of intrahepatic progression-free survival (ihPFS) at 1-, 3- and 5-years were 17.4%, 0%, 0% in CRLM ≥5 group and 53.9%, 29.9%, 29.9% in CRLM < 5 group, respectively. The ihPFS was shorter in CRLM ≥5 group than in CRLM < 5 group (median time 4.0 ± 1.2 months vs 17.0 ± 6.7 months, p < 0.001). The number of CRLM and extrahepatic metastases were independent risk factors for OS. The number of CRLM and tumor size were independent risk factors for ihPFS. No major complications occurred in either group.Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective for the treatment of CRLM ≥5 lesions.

Source: International Journal of Hyperthermia

DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2025.2596118