title: Percutaneous treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma exceeding 3 cm: combined therapy or microwave ablation? Preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare MWA and RFA combined with TACE for HCC nodules exceeding 3 cm.
  
  
  METHODS
  19 lesions submitted to MWA (G1) were retrospectively compared with a combined treatment group (G2) matching by tumor characteristics (mean size 43 and 45 mm in G1 and G2, respectively). Technical success, complications, complete ablation (CA), and maintained CA (mCA) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was achieved in all cases. Overall mortality was zero, both in G1 and G2. No significant differences were found in complications rates (3 in G1 and 2 in G2). CA was obtained in 11 (58 %) HCC in G1 and 15 (79 %) in G2 (p = n.s.). CA was obtained in 75.5 % (G1) and 89 % (G2) nodules up to 4 cm, 45 % and 70 % nodules >4 cm, respectively. At statistical analysis, size resulted as predictor for CA only in G1 (mean diameter of CA vs non-CA 39.9 vs. 47.7 mm, p = 0.021). During follow-up (13.1 and 14.4 months in G1 and G2), mCA occurred in 6/19 (32 %) nodules in G1, 8/19 (42 %) in G2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MWA and combined therapy are comparable as for safety. No significant differences were found in terms of technique effectiveness. Larger randomized studies should be designed to confirm MWA as a valid alternative to combined therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Radiology Unit, University of Torino, A.O.U. San Luigi Gonzaga, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano (TO), Italy. andrea.veltri@unito.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veltri
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gazzera
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calandri
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marenco
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doriguzzi Breatta
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fonio
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Combined therapy; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Microwave ablation; Radiofrequency ablation; Transarterial chemoembolization