Hepatocellular carcinoma: US-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly with tumor nodules larger than 2 cm in diameter.


METHODS
Fifty patients with 107 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (mean diameter, 2.7 cm +/- 1.5 [SD]; range, 0.8-6.4 cm) were treated with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy. Single electrode insertion was used in 46 nodules (43.0%) 2 cm or smaller, whereas multiple electrode insertion was applied in 61 (57.0%) nodules larger than 2 cm.


RESULTS
At 1 month after therapy, technical success for tumors 2 cm or smaller and those larger than 2 cm was achieved in 45 (98%) and 56 (92%) nodules, respectively. After follow-up of 9 months or longer, local recurrence was found in one nodule (2%) sized 1.8 cm and in five nodules (8%) larger than 2 cm. At the end of the study, 26 (52%) of 50 patients were free of disease, and disease-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 55% and 41%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 96%, 83%, and 73%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for hepatocellular carcinoma. A multiple electrode insertion technique can enhance the effectiveness of this therapy in tumors 6 cm or smaller.
Lu
M D
MD
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, 2 Zhongshan Rd, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. gylumd@public.guangzhou.gd.cn
Chen
J W
JW
Xie
X Y
XY
Liu
L
L
Huang
X Q
XQ
Liang
L J
LJ
Huang
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D003972:Diathermy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography