Safety and efficacy of radiofrequency thermal ablation in advanced liver tumors.

HYPOTHESIS Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) can be performed safely and effectively to control local disease in patients with advanced, unresectable liver tumors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Prospective study of 76 patients with unresectable liver tumors who underwent RFA at a private tertiary referral hospital. INTERVENTIONS Ninety-nine RFA operations were performed to ablate 328 tumors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complications and local recurrence. RESULTS There was 1 death (1%), major complications occurred in 7 operations (7%), and minor complications occurred in 10 operations (10%). Local recurrence was identified in 30 tumors (9%) at a mean follow-up of 15 months. Size (P<.001), vascular invasion (P<.001), and total volume ablated (P<.001) were associated with recurrence but the number of tumors was not (P =.39). CONCLUSION Radiofrequency thermal ablation provides local control of advanced liver tumors with low recurrence and acceptable morbidity.

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