ABSTRACT
The use of image-guided techniques for local tumor ablation to treat unresectable or medi cally inoperable patients with liver-dominant hepatic metastatic disease from colorectal cancer was proposed 10 years ago.2,3 Since then, several methods for thermal tumor destruction through localized heating or freezing have been developed and clinically tested.4 While hypertermic abla tion techniques have been widely performed via a percutaneous approach, most of the experience with cryotherapy has involved an open or laparoscopic approach. The present chapter is focused on the percutaneous use of radiofrequency (RF) ablation, that is currently established as the primary ablative modality at most institutions.5
