Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in the Liver

Abstract

In our armamentarium against neuroendocrine hepatic metastases, radiofrequency thermal ablation has proven to play a valuable role. Patients with neuroendocrine malignancies that progress to hepatic metastases may suffer not only from the hormonal sequelae of their disease, but also face the specter of death within several years from progressive hepatic replacement. For the majority of these patients who are not surgical candidates due to the extent of liver involvement, radiofrequency thermal ablation represents a low-risk treatment modality effective at both symptom alleviation and survival prolongation. Utilizing a laparoscopic approach guided by intra-operative ultrasound, effective tumor ablation can be achieved with minimal morbidity and low rates of local tumor recurrence.