The efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation by a new microwave delivery system in large hepatocellular carcinomas: four case studies.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation treatment (PMCT) by a new microwave delivery system (Forsea Microwave) in large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) (> or =5 cm).


METHODS
Four patients with 4 HCC lesions measuring > or =6 cm in the greatest dimension underwent PMCT by means of the Forsea Microwave microwave delivery system. Final therapeutic efficacy was evaluated with dynamic computer tomography (CT) scans performed within one month after PMCT. During and after PMCT, patients' complaints and any abnormal physical signs were recorded for safety assay. CT or ultrasound scan (US) performed immediately after the treatment was used to detect acute complications related to the treatment. Repeated dynamic CT scans were performed every three to four months thereafter to detect local disease recurrence and/or other recurrences.


RESULTS
Three of these patients achieved a complete ablation of the cancer nodules (two patients with two treatment sessions and one patient with three treatment sessions). One of these patients obtained a complete ablation of the cancer nodule with two treatment sessions except the lesion of portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT). No obvious symptomatic complication was observed except abdominal pain during and after the treatment in two of these patients. All the patients remained asymptomatic and no recurrent tumour was observed during their follow-up (1-19 months).


CONCLUSIONS
PMCT by the Forsea Microwave microwave delivery system could offer a satisfactory therapeutic effect and is applicable to the treatment of large HCC.
Yu
Zhaocai
Z
Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, PR China.
Liu
Wenchao
W
Fan
Li
L
Shao
Jie
J
Huang
Ying
Y
Si
Xiaoming
X
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed