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Semin intervent Radiol 2006; 23(1): 073-084
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-939843
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Primary and Metastatic Hepatic Tumors: Current Concepts and Review of the Literature

Aradhana M. Venkatesan1 , Debra A. Gervais1 , Peter R. Mueller1
  • 1Division of Abdominal Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 April 2006 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The liver is a common site for primary malignancy and hematogenous metastasis. Although surgical resection of primary or metastatic hepatic tumors is generally regarded as first-line therapy, the majority of patients with hepatic malignancy have disease that is not amenable to surgical resection because of tumor location, poor hepatic reserve, or medical comorbidities. This has led to significant interest in the development of nonsurgical image-guided therapies, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA is appealing as a minimally invasive therapy that may be performed on an outpatient basis. It enables ablation of an area 3 to 5 cm in diameter, with relatively low morbidity and mortality rates. The results concerning the use of percutaneous RFA in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal metastases, and other hepatic metastases are reviewed in this article. Clinical and technical considerations and complications are also discussed.

KEYWORDS

Radiofrequency ablation - liver - hepatocellular carcinoma - colorectal metastasis - neuroendocrine metastasis

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Debra A GervaisM.D. 

Director, Interventional Radiology

Division of Abdominal Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, White 2 Radiology, Room 270, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114