[Diameter of metastases is decisive for local treatment outcome of cryotherapy of colorectal liver metastases].

In a retrospective analysis we aimed to assess the incidence of local recurrence at the cryosite as well as possible prognostic indicators for the disease-free interval at the cryosite following hepatic cryotherapy for non-resectable colorectal metastases. At a median follow-up of 22 months, 66 of 85 patients had developed tumor recurrence, involving local recurrence at the cryosite in 28 patients, with cryoablated metastases of > 3 cm being associated with shorter disease-free intervals at the cryosite. Improvements in probe placement and monitoring of the freezing process are required to allow successful treatment of large liver metastases.