Focal Tumor Ablation: Thermal Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma

Guideline Objective

To provide a systematic literature review on the use of radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and colo-recctal cancer liver metastases that will be one of the component of the Recommendation Report of the Focal Ablation Advisory Committee. The additional components to their report are demand forecasting, costing analysis, jurisdictional review, system capacity, and current state.

Patient Population

Patients with HCC or colorectal liver metastases.

Intended Guideline Users

Interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, hepatobiliary surgeons, medical oncologists, healthcare professionals caring for patients with HCC or CLM.

Research Question(s)

1. What is the effectiveness of liver lesion thermal ablation using radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation, alone or in combination with other strategies for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases (e.g., from colorectal cancer)?
2. What are the subgroups of patients most likely to benefit from thermal ablation interventions?
3. What are the potential adverse events associated with thermal ablation techniques?