Martin G. Mack MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Katrin Eichler MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ralf Straub MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Lehnert MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stefan Zangos MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Josef Vogl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the potential of MR-guided LITT for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases in a long-term follow-up study and to demonstrate why ablation is superior to resection under certain circumstances.

MR-guided LITT was performed in 746 patients (mean age 61.7 years) with 2287 liver metastases of colorectal cancer between 1993 and 2004. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. 34.5% of the patients had recurrent metastases after surgery, 35.7% metastases in both liver lobes, 13.4% refused surgical resection, 3.7% had general contraindications for surgery, and 12.8% had metastases at difficult localization for surgery.

The mean survival rate for all treated patients, starting the calculation at the date of diagnosis of the metastases which was treated with LITT, was 3.9 years (95% confidence interval: 3.6 - 4.2 years, median 3.0 years, maximum survival 9.5 years, 1 year survival 93%, 2 year survival 73%, 3 year survival 50%, 5 year survival 27%). The mean survival of patients who refused resection (n=102) and were treated with LITT was 5.6 years (95% confidence interval: 4.6 – 6.6 years, median 5.7 years), which is superior to data published for surgical resection. The mean survival of patients who had already partial liver resection before (n=262) was 3.9 years, in patients with bilobar liver metastases (n=271) the mean survival was 3.3 years.

MR-guided LITT yields high local tumor control and survival rates in patients with liver metastases of colorectal carcinoma. LITT appears in surgical candidates superior to resection.

Mack, M, Eichler, K, Straub, R, Lehnert, T, Zangos, S, Vogl, T, Long-term Results of Laser Ablation of Colorectal Carcinoma Metastases in the Liver.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4411594.html