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World J Gastrointest Surg. Jan 27, 2025; 17(1): 101162
Published online Jan 27, 2025. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v17.i1.101162
Microwave ablation for liver metastases from colorectal cancer: A comprehensive review of clinical efficacy and safety
Fang Li, Yuan-Yuan Zhang, Ming Li, Sheng-Kai Chen
Fang Li, Yuan-Yuan Zhang, Ming Li, Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China
Sheng-Kai Chen, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China
Author contributions: Li F generated the conception and designed the review; Zhang YY performed the literature search and data analysis; Li M supervised the project, drafted and revised the manuscript; Chen SK coordinated the submission, interpretated data and edited the final manuscript; and all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the Joint Medical Scientific Research Project of Chongqing Science and Technology Committee and Chongqing Health Committee, No. 2021MSXM308.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Sheng-Kai Chen, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, No. 118 Xingguang Avenue, Liangjiang New District, Chongqing 401147, China. chenskthomass@163.com
Received: September 5, 2024
Revised: October 23, 2024
Accepted: November 15, 2024
Published online: January 27, 2025
Processing time: 112 Days and 23.9 Hours
Abstract

Microwave ablation (MWA) is emerging as a highly effective treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). This review explores the advantages of MWA compared to other ablative techniques such as radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation and highlights its clinical efficacy, safety, and technical considerations. MWA offers significant benefits, including higher intratumoral temperatures, larger ablation zones, and reduced susceptibility to the heat-sink effect, which make it particularly suitable for tumors near large blood vessels. This review details the patient selection criteria, procedural approaches, and the use of advanced imaging techniques to improve the precision and effectiveness of MWA. Clinical outcomes indicate that MWA achieves high rates of complete tumor ablation and long-term survival with a favorable safety profile. This review is significant because it provides updated insights into the expanding role of MWA in treating unresectable CRLM and its potential as an alternative to surgical resection for resectable tumors. By summarizing recent studies and clinical trials, this review highlights the comparative effectiveness, safety, and integration with systemic therapies of MWA. In conclusion, MWA is a promising treatment option for CRLM and offers outcomes comparable to or better than those of other ablative techniques. Future research should focus on optimizing technical parameters, integrating MWA with systemic therapies, and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials to establish standardized treatment protocols. Advancing our understanding of MWA will enhance its application and improve long-term survival and quality of life for patients with CRLM.

Keywords: Microwave ablation; Colorectal liver metastases; Thermal ablation techniques; Clinical outcomes; Tumor ablation safety

Core Tip: This review focuses on the application of microwave ablation (MWA) as a treatment for colorectal liver metastasis. MWA offers advantages such as higher intratumoral temperatures, larger ablation zones, and reduced heat-sink effects compared to other techniques such as radiofrequency ablation. This review also discusses the safety and clinical outcomes of MWA and emphasizes its potential as an effective treatment for colorectal liver metastasis. Despite its benefits, this review highlights the need for further research to confirm long-term efficacy and optimize patient selection for better outcomes.