Percutaneous microwave ablation combined with synchronous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases: results from a follow-up cohort

Figures & data

Table 1 General condition of CRLM patients

Characteristics	Number of patients, n (%)
Age (years)
Mean	61.6
Range	44–78
Sex
Male	19 (63.3)
Female	11 (36.7)
Child-Pugh classification
A	11 (36.7)
B	19 (63.3)
ECOG performance status
0	7 (23.3)
1	14 (46.7)
2	9 (30.0)
Primary tumor
Colon	20 (66.7)
Rectum	10 (33.3)
Liver metastases type
Synchronous	17 (56.7)
Metachronous	13 (43.3)
Number of treated nodules (total)	35 (43)
Number of tumors
1	20 (66.7)
>1	10 (33.3)
Size of the tumor
Mean (cm), mean ± SD	4.4±2.6
Extrahepatic metastases	18 (60.0)
Lung	8 (26.7)
Lymph node	7 (23.3)
Peritoneum	3 (10.0)
Previous treatment
Primary tumor resection	30 (100.0)
Hepatectomy	2 (6.7)
Systemic chemotherapy	14 (46.7)
TACE	7 (23.3)
Hepatectomy and systemic chemotherapy	3 (10.0)
CEA
Negative (≤5 ng/mL)	7 (23.3)
Positive (>5 ng/mL)	23 (76.7)

Abbreviations: CRLM, colorectal liver metastases; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; TACE, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen.

Figure 1 A 75-year-old man who presented with CRLM treated with MWA combined with synchronous TACE.

Notes: (A) Enhanced CT scan of liver metastases in the right lobe of the liver, with a diameter of 4.2 cm ×3.5 cm (white arrow). (B) Three months after treatment, the enhanced CT scan showed a complete nonenhanced area of the tumor, indicating complete necrosis of the tumor lesion (white arrow). (C) DSA before ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA combined with synchronous TACE clearly demonstrated the hypervascularity of the lesion (black arrow). (D) After the MWA, the lesion was almost eliminated (black arrow). (E) DSA showed complete devascularization after TACE (black arrow).
Abbreviations: CRLM, colorectal liver metastases; CT, computed tomography; DSA, digital subtraction angiography; MWA, microwave ablation; TACE, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Figure 2 Kaplan–Meier curves for (A) overall survival and (B) progression-free survival in 30 patients with CRLM after MWA combined with synchronous TACE treatment.

Abbreviations: CRLM, colorectal liver metastases; MWA, microwave ablation; TACE, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Table 2 Comparison of laboratory test preprocedure and postprocedure after 1 month

	Preprocedure	Postprocedure	P-value
	Mean (SD)	Mean (SD)
TB (µmol/L)	11.0 (3.3)	10.8 (3.4)	0.625
ALT (U/L)	45.1 (23.0)	43.9 (20.7)	0.252
AST (U/L)	50.3 (21.2)	50.0 (20.9)	0.606
RBC (10^12/L)	3.9 (0.5)	4.0 (0.5)	0.489
WBC (10^9/L)	6.3 (2.1)	5.8 (2.0)	0.086
PLT (10^9/L)	132.6 (16.5)	131.2 (16.4)	0.007

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; TB, total bilirubin; ALT, alanine transaminase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; RBC, red blood cell; WBC, white blood cell; PLT, platelet.