Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Liver Metastases of Colorectal Cancer

Many methods of minimally invasive therapy have been developed in recent years to eliminate tumours in organs like the liver. One of the most promising methods is called radiofrequency ablation, occasionally referred to as RFA. In radiofrequency ablation, a special needle electrode is placed in the tumour under the guidance of an imaging technique such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) scanning, or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A radiofrequency current is then passed through the electrode to heat the tumour tissue near the needle tip to cause tumour ablation. The heat from radiofrequency energy also closes up small blood vessels, thereby minimizing the risk of bleeding. In general, radiofrequency ablation causes only negligible discomfort and may be done as an outpatient procedure without general anaesthesia In some cases radiofrequency ablation has made it possible to operate on patients that might not be good surgical candidates. Two types of liver tumour have been the main target of radiofrequency ablation; hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a primary liver cancer, and metastases from colorectal cancers to the liver. Many patients with a malignant liver tumour are not ideal surgical candidates as their tumours are so multifocal and inaccessible, that hepatectomy can lead to liver failure due to insufficient tissue reserve for adequate liver function. Other patients are poor surgical candidates due to poor performance status, as a consequence of other comorbidities, making major liver surgery exceedingly high risk. For many of these patients, radiofrequency ablation is a viable and effective treatment option.