Painful pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer: percutaneous radiofrequency ablation treatment

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in reducing the pain in patients with painful pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer ineligible for surgical resection. Material and methods: Twelve consecutive patients (10 men and 2 women; mean age 67 ± 10 years) with painful pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer underwent CT-guided RFA treatments under conscious sedation. At baseline, in all patients pelvic-sacral pain was classified as severe by Visual Analog Scale (VAS; VAS score ≥75 mm). The tumor density and carcinoembryionic antigen (CEA) serum level averages were 46 ± 7 HU and 15.7 ± 9.3 ng/mL, respectively. Clinical outcome was evaluated by VAS with a mean follow-up period of 23 months. Results: All RFA sessions were completed and well tolerated. Morbidity consisted of recto-vesical fistula…