Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for patients with primary and metastatic hepatic tumors

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for patients with primary and metastatic hepatic tumors.Methods: The enrolled 100 patients with 186 tumor nodules who underwent PMCT included 79 cases of primary or recurrent liver cancers and 21 cases of metastatic liver cancer. The tumors were divided into two groups according to the tumor size in diameter: group A, 0.5 cm−<3 cm; group B, ≥3 cm−<5 cm. Under local and/or epidural anesthesia, a single percutaneous microwave antenna (or two antennas array applicator) was inserted directly into the tumor in the liver for thermo-coagulation with the aid of ultrasound guidance.Results: Among the 186 lesions in 100 patients with primary and metastatic liver cancers, in group A, 123 (66%) were coagulated once. A Follow-up of 6–12 months demonstrated that 112 lesions (91%) showed no local recurrence by CT or MRI; In group B, of the 63 lesions (33.87%) coagulated twice, 31 (49%) showed no local recurrence by CT or MRI during a follow-up of 6 months. There were no serious clinical side effects or complications in all the PMCT patients.Conclusion: PMCT gives satisfactory curative effect on tumors with <3 cm in size. It is partly effective on lesions ≥3 cm−<5 cm in size. It is a minimally invasive and effective therapy, can be used safely in the field of percutaneous hepatis surgery, and carried out even in patients with poor liver function.