BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumors is an effective method for treating palliative liver tumors. This method can be used in nodules of up to 3-4 cm of diameter, having no more than three lesions to be treated. The procedure can be achieved by laparotomy, laparoscopy as well as percutaneously. This method has also frequently been applied as a bridge to liver transplantation as well as an alternative method for recurrent tumors after resection. AIM: To present the experiment achieved in a series of patients were radiofrequency ablation was utilized. METHODS: 113 cases were studied, where radiofrequency ablation was applied percutaneously or by means of laparotomy in the treatment of 170 lesions. The group was composed of 43 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma; 53 colorectal tumor metastasis; six neuroendocrine carcinomas; four breast tumor metastasis; four cholangiocarcinomas; one pancreatic tumor metastasis; one renal tumor metastasis and one leiomyosarcoma hepatic metastasis. RESULTS: The average of treated lesions was of 1,5 per case with an average size of 3,6 cm per lesion. The following segments were compromised: segment I (n=7), II (n=5), IV (n=39), V (n=10), VI (n=11), VII (n=50) and VIII (n=42). Morbidity and mortality rates associated to the method were of 26,5% and 3,5% respectively. Recurrence rates after the procedure reached 17,6% after an average of 10,6 months subsequent to ablation. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe procedure that can be used in patients with compromised hepatic function. In metastatic diseases this procedure does not substitute surgical treatment and the use of other control methods shows many benefits in the evolution of patients.
Liver neoplasms; Catheter ablation
