Effect of Laser Induced Thermal Ablation on Liver Tumours

Laser thermal ablation (LTA) is an in situ ablative techniquethat induces heat destruction of liver tumours. Despite increasingclinical use of LTA, reports of long-term outcomes and limitationsof treatment in specific cohorts of patients with liver tumours arelacking. In addition, the mechanisms of action of therapy are notfully understood. This book highlights some of the clinical resultsand limitations of LTA in the treatment of colorectal livermetastases and examines its mechanisms of action. Overall, there isa high incidence of local tumour recurrence following thermalablation due to incomplete tumour destruction and regional andextrahepatic tumour recurrences. The mechanisms of action ofthermal ablation appear to be multifactorial with interplay ofseveral factors. An understanding and manipulation of the processesmay further ensure complete tumour destruction and reduce local anddistal recurrences. This may encourage more widespread use of thistechnology for the treatment of liver tumours. This book should beespecially useful for health professionals and researchers with aninterest in the ever expanding field of thermal ablation of livertumours.