Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York presented their findings on RFA in colon cancer at SIR’s annual meeting in Tampa, Fla. The physicians treated 56 patients — who had multiple prior treatments with surgery and systemic and local chemotherapy for liver metastases associated with colon cancer — using computed tomography-guided RFA over a six-year period, according to the release.
Of the patients, survival rates were 91 percent at one year, 66 percent at two years and 41 percent at three years. Medical records and relevant imaging were reviewed to determine technical success, complications and local tumor progression. Average tumor size was 1.9 centimeters, with average overall survival rate being 31 months, according to the release. Researchers also examined the correlation with survival and local tumor progression and the influence of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy on local disease and overall survival.
According to the release, RFA can allow patients to be discharged from the hospital within 24 hours and to resume normal activity in a few days. Researchers also noted that the findings demonstrated how collaborative efforts between medical specialists, leveraging available treatment modalities, can improve patient outcomes.
Read the SIR’s release on RFA in treating colon cancer liver metastases (pdf).
