Laser ablation with or without chemoembolization for unresectable neuroendocrine liver metastases: a pilot study

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser ablation (LA) with or without selective transarterial chemoembolization in patients with large, isolated or oligonodular unresectable neuroendocrine liver matastases. Materials & methods: Ten patients (mean age: 53.6 years ± 14.1; range: 24–79) with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and 13 liver matastases (mean diameter: 4.3 ± 2.8 cm; range: 1.5–12) underwent LA alone (n = 9) or LA followed by selective transarterial chemoembolization (n = 3). Results: Complete response was obtained in six patients with LA alone and in two patients with combined treatment. The 5-year overall survival rates from the initial diagnosis and post-treatment were 80 and 50%, respectively. Conclusion: This treatment modality may provide effective control of tumor burden and general symptoms improvement in patients with limited but unresectable disease.