Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic disease of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) are the most frequent malignant lesions of the liver. The number of non-resectable lesions reaches SO - 90 %, therefore there is a need to try different methods. The hrst radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of HCC in the Czech Republic was performed in author's department in December 2000. Authors are presenting their 12-month-experience with this local therapy. Materiál and methods: During these 12 months authors performed RFA of 21 malignant lesions in 14 patients (S men, 6 women), average age 66.4 years. 5 HCC, 12 metastases of CRC, 1 metastasis of breast carcinoma, 1 cholangiocarcinoma of the liver and 1 metastasis of CRC in the adrenal gland. There were 16 percutaneous transperitoneal ablations, 4 by the percutaneous transpulmonary approach and 1 with laparoscopy. Authors used a RITA Medical Systems apparatus with 15 G electrode. All except one were done under CT control. Results: The response is considered complete when CT shows loss of vascularization and diminution in size. Authors achieved full loss of vascularization in 11 patients (78.6 %), in 2 patients (14.3 %) there was partial loss or vascularization. In 1 patient there was progression after S months. A reduced diameter was present in 7 (50 %) patients, 2 (14.3 %) patients died within 2 resp. S months after RFA. Necropaty revealed fibrosis of the ablated mass, but a lot of new small lesions. One patient developed pulmonary metastases after 6 months. To 3 patients systemic chemotherapy was administered. Authors performed a combination of ethanolization and RFA in two patients. Conclusion: RFA is an effective and a well tolerated method of curing malignant liver lesions. The main advantage is destruction of the lesion and presentation of normal liver tissue. The most important indication is HCC and metastatic CRC.

        Key words: liver - cancer - radiofrequency ablation - intervention - computer tomography