Franca Meloni MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Tito Livraghi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Luigi Solbiati MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Luca Cova, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tiziana Ierace, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

: Metastatic breast cancer is generally considered a disseminated disease requiring systemic therapy, with a poor prognosis. In Breast Cancer Liver Metastases (BCLM) hepatectomy may be indicated in selected patients with isolated liver metastases (LM). Local treatments are indicated in certain circumstances ( metastatic disease confined to the liver or with lung and bone lesions stable after chemotherapy).The aim of our study is to describe the results of an ongoing Radiofrequency (RF) ablation protocol in patients treated for BCLM

US-guided RF ablation using 17-gauge internally-cooled electrodes was performed in 88 consecutive patients with 180 lesions ranged from 1.0 to 7 cm in greatest dimension (mean 3.2 cm). Follow-up with serial computed tomography, US and USCA, ranged from 4 to 96 months (mean 23,9 months)

Estimated 1,3,5 and 8-year survival rates were 72%, 55%, 49%, 16% respectively. Survival was related to the number of metastases treated. Five patients at the first RF ablation presented further LM, bone, lung or brain metastases stable with chemotherapy. In 35 (19%) of 180 lesions local recurrence was observed. Twenty-two (62%) of 35 lesions presenting local recurrence were more than 4 cm in size. Recurrents tumors were retreated when feasible. Sixty-eight (83%) of these 88 patients developed hepatic and extrahepatic progression disease at follow-up. Frequency and time to local recurrence were related to lesion size (P<.001). At the time of this writing 15 (18%) of the 83 patients whose metastases were initially confined to the liver remained free of detectable metastatic disease

RF ablation is an effective therapy for BCLM

Meloni, F, Livraghi, T, Solbiati, L, Cova, L, Ierace, T, Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Liver Metastases: Long-term Results in 88 Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4416432.html