Treatment of colorectal liver metastasis: Comparison of radiofrequency ablation and hepatic resection.

Abstract

637 Background: Hepatic resection is the mainstay of management for colorectal liver metastases. But, the treatment for colorectal liver metastases requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to compare recurrence and survival rates for patients treated with hepatic resection or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for colorectal liver metastases. Methods: Between July 2002 and September 2010, 52 patients underwent hepatic resection and 58 underwent RFA for synchronous or metachronous colorectal liver metastases. A retrospective analysis was performed. Patients with extrahepatic metastases were excluded. Results: The two groups had similar mean age, comorbid medical conditions, primary disease stage, and number of tumors. Preoperative median serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was significantly higher in the resection group (13.8 ng/mL vs. 3.1 ng/mL; p = 0.001). Median diameter of main tumors was significantly greater in resection group (4.1 cm vs. 2.0 cm; p = 0.002). Recurrence rate after treatment was 46.2% (24/52) in the resection group and 70.7% (41/58) in the RFA group. Marginal recurrence after resection or RFA was observed in 7.6% (4/52) and 46.6% (27/58), respectively (p = 0.003). Median recurrence free survival (28.0 vs. 12.0 months; p = 0.007) and median overall survival (43.0 vs. 26.0 months; p = 0.023) were significantly longer in the resection group. Conclusions: Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for colorectal liver metastases. RFA for colorectal liver metastases was associated with higher marginal recurrence rate and shorter recurrence free and overall survival.