title: Ablation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparative study between radiofrequency and microwave ablation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate and compare the therapeutic response of Radiofrequency (RF) and Microwave (MW) ablation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  53 consecutive patients (42 males, 11 females; mean age 59 years, range: 40-68, SD: 4.2) underwent CT-guided percutaneous RF and MW ablation of 68 HCC liver lesions. The morphologic tumor response (number, location and size) was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. The follow-up protocol was 24 h post-ablation then within 3 monthly intervals post-ablation in the first year and 6 monthly intervals thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete therapeutic response was noted in 84.4% (27/32) of lesions treated with RFA and in 88.9% (32/36) of lesions treated with MW ablation (P = 0.6). Complete response was achieved in all lesions ≤2.0 cm in diameter in both groups. There was no significant difference in rates of residual foci of HCC lesions between RF and MW ablation groups (P = 0.15, Log-rank test). Recurrence rate for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in patients with HCC who underwent RF ablation compared with MW ablation were 6.3%, 3.1%, 3.1% versus 0%, 5.6%, 2.8%, and 2.8%. Progression-Free Survival rates for treated patients with RF ablation of 1, 2, and 3 years were 96.9%, 93.8%, and 90.6% and treated with MW ablation therapy were 97.2%, 94.5%, and 91.7, respectively (P = 0.98).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, RF and MW ablation therapy showed no significant difference in the treatment of HCC regarding the complete response, rates of residual foci of untreated disease, and recurrence rate.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, University Hospital, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farshid
authors.forename: Nagy N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Naguib
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zangos
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bodelle
authors.forename: Jijo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Emannuel C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Mbalisike
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beeres
authors.forename: Nour-Eldin A
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Nour-Eldin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed