Microwave ablation for liver metastases from colorectal cancer: A comprehensive review of clinical efficacy and safety

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.