Clinical Application of CT-Guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation for the Treatment of Lung Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our research is to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of lung metastasis from colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT-guided percutaneous MWA was performed in 22 patients (male 14, female 8, mean age: 56.05 ± 12.32 years) with a total of 36 lung metastatic lesions from colorectal cancer between February 2014 and May 2017. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the efficacy, safety, and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 36 lesions, 34 lesions (94.4%) reduced obviously with small cavitations or fibrous stripes formed and had no evidence of recurrence during follow-up. The volume of the other 2 lesions demonstrated local progression after 6 months by follow-up CT. The primary complications included pneumothorax (28%), chest pain (21%), and fever (5%). These symptoms and signs were obviously relieved or disappeared after several-day conservative treatment. The mean follow-up of the patients was 25.54 ± 12.58 months (range 2–41 months). The estimated progression-free survival rate was 94.4%. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that CT-guided percutaneous MWA appears to be an effective, reliable, and minimally invasive method for the treatment of lung metastasis from colorectal cancer. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-ORC-17012904.