Radiofrequency Ablation for Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors: Indications and Therapeutic Effects.

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) is considered to be a reliable alternative to surgical resection for patients with primary and metastatic liver tumors. RFA delivers energy into the tumor through non-insulated needle electrode tips, causing a high-frequency alternating current to flow and resulting in coagulation necrosis of the tumor tissue. Compared to percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and microwave coagulation therapy (MCT), RFA can induce a larger and more predictable area of coagulation necrosis. Therefore, this technique may reduce the number of required treatment sessions and shorten the hospital stay. Three different RFA devices are presently available, and their usefulness has been compared. Representative adverse effects of RFA include local pain, intra-abdominal bleeding, pleural complications, and needle tract seeding. Although more studies are required to precisely define the indications and to estimate the long-term effects, RFA is expected to become a major therapeutic technique for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors.