title: Surgical ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with 2.45-GHz microwave: a critical appraisal of treatment outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new generation of 2.45-GHz microwave to ablate hepatocellular carcinoma by surgical approach. DESIGN; Case series with prospective follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2009 to January 2011, 26 consecutive patients (19 men and 7 women) with a median age of 63 (range, 49-79) years with hepatocellular carcinoma were recruited. Five (19%) of the patients had recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after previous treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinomas (one tumour, n=24; two tumours, n=2) using a laparoscopic (n=16) or open approach (n=10).
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative mortality and morbidity, rate of incomplete ablation, recurrence rate, and survival rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median tumour diameter was 3.8 cm (range, 2.0-6.0 cm). Complications occurred in five (19%) of the patients; only one was ablation-related, and there was no operative mortality. One (4%) of the patients experienced incomplete ablation. Recurrent tumours were noted in 11 (42%) of the patients (5 were local, 2 were remote, and 4 were multifocal) after a median follow-up of 14 (range, 4-26) months. The failure rate for local disease control was 23%, and was 14% if patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. All but one patient survived until the time of censorship. The mean survival was 25 (standard deviation, 1) months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new-generation microwave technique is safe and effective for local ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is a valuable treatment option for patients who are not candidates for hepatectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. leekf@surgey.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joyce W Y
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Jeff S W
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Simon C H
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Paul B S
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome