Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
Microwave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT). This randomized phase 2 clinical trial compares the effectiveness of MWA and RFA as well as morphology of corresponding ablation zones. HCC and MT patients with 1.5–4 cm tumors, suitable for ablation, were randomized into MWA or RFA Groups. The primary endpoint was short-to-long diameter ratio of ablation zone (SLR). Primary technical success (TS) and a cumulative local tumor progression (LTP) after a median 2-year follow-up were compared. Between June 2015 and April 2020, 82 patients were randomly assigned (41 patients per group). For the per-protocol analysis, five patients were excluded. MWA created larger ablation zones than RFA (p = 0.036) although without differences in SLR (0.5 for both groups, p = 0.229). The TS was achieved in 98% (46/47) and 90% (45/50) (p = 0.108), and LTP was observed in 21% (10/47) vs. 12% (6/50) (OR 1.9 [95% CI 0.66–5.3], p = 0.238) of tumors in MWA vs. RFA Group, respectively. Major complications were found in 5 cases (11%) vs. 2 cases (4%), without statistical significance. MWA and RFA show similar SLR, effectiveness and safety in liver tumors between 1.5 and 4 cm.
Highlights
Microwave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT)
The remaining 82 patients were randomized to MWA Group (n = 41) or RFA Group (n = 41)
We considered that a single arterialphase enhancing tumors in both patients were likely to be HCC and we randomized the patients
Summary
Microwave (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are main ablative techniques for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (MT). Microwave ablation (MWA) using the most advanced devices obtains shorter ablation times, higher ablation temperatures, larger ablation zones and a weakened heat-sink effect than RFA, all of which are considered to improve the efficacy of tumor ablation[8,9,10,11]. These theoretical advantages of MWA could be its flaws because being more effective it can injure adjacent critical structures (e.g. nearby bile or portal structures)[12]. The MWA procedure was performed by means of an up-to-date technique (2.45 GHz generator) and the RFA by means of a hybrid applicator (cool-tip applicator with hyperosmotic saline infusion) previously shown to create larger and more spherical ablation zone in comparison with conventional cool-tip a pplicator[26,27,28]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
