Analysis of the feasibility of microwave ablation for colorectal liver metastases: a preliminary report

Introduction
Colorectal liver metastasis is a challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer and an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients. Currently, microwave ablation has gradually been applied for the treatment of liver cancers as a type of thermal ablation. However, there are no large-scale studies on the effectiveness of microwave ablation for colorectal liver metastases.

Aim
To investigate the efficacy of microwave ablation and liver resection for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, and to compare the prognosis between patients treated with microwave ablation and those in the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, National Cancer Institute) database.

Material and methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 24 patients with colorectal liver metastasis who underwent radical colorectal cancer resection and liver microwave ablation (the MWA group) and 12 patients who received radical colorectal cancer resection and liver resection (the LR group). The complete ablation rate and complications after microwave ablation were observed. Survival analysis was performed for cases treated with liver resection and cases from the SEER database.

Results
A total of 53 tumors were ablated in the 24 patients who underwent radical colorectal cancer resection and liver microwave ablation; 52 tumors achieved complete ablation after the first ablation (98.1%). No serious complications occurred in the MWA group, and long-term survival was not significantly different between the MWA and other groups.

Conclusions
Microwave ablation for colorectal liver metastases avoids extensive liver resection while ensuring therapeutic efficacy; the operation is safe, feasible, and reproducible.