Single-session transarterial chemoembolization combined with percutaneous thermal ablation in liver metastases 3 cm or larger

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with percutaneous thermal ablation in patients with liver metastases 3 cm in diameter or larger.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 39 patients with a total of 46 liver metastases treated. There were 14 men and 25 women, with a mean age of 55 ± 13.3 (SD) (age range: 28-77 years). All patients were treated with a combination of TACE and thermal ablation in a single session. Primary outcome was local tumor progression. Secondary outcomes were procedure related complications and systemic disease progression.

Results: Mean tumor size was 3.6 ± 0.6 (SD) cm (range: 3-5 cm). Conventional TACE was performed in 32 liver metastases (32/46; 70%) and drug-eluting beads-TACE in 14 liver metastases (14/46; 30%) followed by radiofrequency ablation in 34 (34/46; 74%), microwave ablation in 11 (11/46; 24%) and cryoablation in one (1/46; 2%) metastasis. Four grade 2 (4/39; 10%) complications were observed. After a mean follow up of 31.9 ± 26.1 (SD) months (range: 2-113 months) overall local tumor progression rate was 15% (7/46). Local tumor progression rate at 12 months was 13% (6/46). Overall systemic disease progression was seen in 29 patients (29/39; 74%) with a systemic disease progression rate at 12 months of 59% (23/39).

Conclusion: Treatment of large liver metastases with TACE and thermal ablation in a single session is safe and achieves high local control rate.