Percutaneous ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for patients with liver metastasis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective To analyze the survival outcomes and prognostic factors of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma liver metastasis (PALM).Methods Between January 2010 and July 2021, 20 patients (13 males) with an average age of 58.9 ± 11.7 years who underwent RFA for PALM were included. The mean maximum diameter of PALMs was 2.6 ± 1.1 cm (1.0–6.0 cm). Survival curves were built using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Multivariable analyses were performed by using the Cox proportional hazards model.Results Twenty patients with 29 PALMs underwent 23 RFA sessions. Technical efficacy was achieved in 28 PALMs (28/29, 96.6%). The mean overall survival (OS) after RFA was 14.6 months and the 1-, 2-year survival rates were 39.5%, 18.1%, respectively. With multivariate analysis, abnormal serum levels of CA199 (p = 0.023) and extrahepatic metastasis before RFA (p = 0.038) were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with PALM. Additionally, the mean progression-free survival (PFS) after RFA was 11.5 months and 1-, 2- year survival rates were 26.0%, 17.3%, respectively. With multivariate analysis, abnormal serum levels of CA199 (p = 0.016) and extrahepatic metastasis before RFA (p = 0.043) were also identified as independent prognostic factors for PFS in patients with PALM.Conclusion RFA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with PALM, especially in patients with normal serum level of CA199 or the patients without extrahepatic metastases before RFA.

Keywords

• Pancreatic cancer
• radiofrequency ablation
• overall survival
• prognostic factor
• liver metastasis