Biopsy and Margins Optimize Outcomes after Thermal Ablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Background: Thermal ablation is a definitive local treatment for selected colorectal liver metastases (CLM) that can be ablated with adequate margins. A critical limitation has been local tumor progression (LTP).

Methods: This prospective, single-group, phase 2 study enrolled patients with CLM < 5 cm in maximum diameter, at a tertiary cancer center between November 2009 and February 2019. Biopsy of the ablation zone center and margin was performed immediately after ablation. Viable tumor in tissue biopsy and ablation margins < 5 mm were assessed as predictors of 12-month LTP.

Results: We enrolled 107 patients with 182 CLMs. Mean tumor size was 2.0 (range, 0.6-4.6) cm. Microwave ablation was used in 51% and radiofrequency ablation in 49% of tumors. The 12- and 24-month cumulative incidence of LTP was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17, 29) and 29% (95% CI: 23, 36), respectively. LTP at 12 months was 7% (95% CI: 3, 14) for the biopsy tumor-negative ablation zone with margins ≥ 5 mm vs. 63% (95% CI: 35, 85) for the biopsy-positive ablation zone with margins < 5 mm ( < 0.001).

Conclusions: Biopsy-proven complete tumor ablation with margins of at least 5 mm achieves optimal local tumor control for CLM, regardless of the ablation modality used.