How useful is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating liver metastases from colorectal cancer?

To answer that question, American Society for Clinical Oncology scientists included two C3 advocates, Rob Michelson and Dr. Andrew Guisti, on an expert panel looking at published RFA research.

In appreciation, the panel dedicated their Clinical Evidence Review to Michelson who died in January, 2008.

The Expert Panel wishes to dedicate this Clinical Evidence Review to Rob Michelson, who served as the patient representative at the Panel meeting in October 2007 and passed away early in 2008. His contributions at the meeting and as a reviewer of the first draft were substantive and thought provoking.

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What should you and your doctor talk about if your colon or rectal cancer has spread to your liver?

Deciding on the best way to manage liver metastases from colorectal cancer isn’t easy. It’s best done with the involvement of  multidisciplinary team of doctors and thoughtful discussion with the patient.

In developing the ASCO 2009 Clinical Evidence Review on Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic Metastases From Colorectal Cancer, the Expert Panel developed points for patients and physicians to consider during an office visit to learn about treatment options. Read the rest of this entry »

Both surgery and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are used to destroy liver tumors that have spread from colorectal cancer, but which approach is better?

Surgeons at the University of Louisville School of Medicine reviewed all the cases where patients received either surgery only or RFA only in their hospital over the past twelve years.  They had over 1,100 cases involving liver tumors during that time, and 192 involved either a single liver surgery or only radiofrequency ablation.

They found the time before cancer came back was considerably shorter for RFA.  In addition, cancer returned at the RFA or surgical site more often for RFA, and also recurred more often elsewhere in the liver. Read the rest of this entry »