Microwave ablation versus Radiofrequency ablation in the management of Hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Different loco-regional therapies have been progressed for irresectable liver tumors to achieve local tumor control. Examples of loco-regional therapies are different thermal ablation therapies such as microwave ablation, and radiofrequency ablation. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate treatment safety, efficacy, and complications related to radio-frequency ablation (RFA) in comparison with percutaneous microwave (MW) ablation for the management of HCC. Patients and Methods: 100 patients presented with liver cirrhosis and HCC proved by imaging ultrasonography and triphasic CT. Patients were assigned into two main comparison groups: Group 1: patients with single or multiple hepatic focal lesions (size up to 4cm) who received RFA. Group 2: patients with single or multiple hepatic focal lesions (size up to 4cm) who received MWA. Complete blood count, liver function tests, and AFP were measured for all subjects. Results: In All 100 patients; the assessment number of the hepatic focal lesion was done by abdominal ultrasonography and triphasic CT 93% of patients had a single focal lesion with a median size of 2.3cm. Group (1): (who were candidates for RFA) showed statistically significant higher values as regard (ALT) (p-value =0.091) compared to group (2): (who were candidates for MWA). There were no statistical differences between both groups as regard Total Bilirubin and serum AFP. The microwave ablation group was statistically significant as regard ablation success, shorter time, and shorter ablation than the radiofrequency ablation group (p-value =0.000). Conclusions: RFA and MWA are good ablative techniques. MWA showed more superiority than RFA in the overall outcome.