Objective: To observe the curative effect of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) with 2450 MHz microwave antenna for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods: Under local or epidural anesthesia, a thin percutaneous microwave antenna was introduced with ultrasound guidance into the tumor in the liver for thermo-coagulation.
Results: Among the 97 hepatic cancer lesions in 52 patients, 61(62.9%) with phi < 3 cm were coagulated once. In follow-up of 6-12 months of these lesions, 57(93.4%) showed no recurrence by CT or MRI. Thirty-six (37.1%) with 3 cm < phi < 5 cm coagulated twice showed that 27 (75.0%) gave CR and 9 (25.0%) gave PR by CT or MRI in follow up of 6 months. There were no serious clinical side effects or complications in the PMCT patients.
Conclusion: Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy gives good curative effect on liver tumor with phi < 3 cm. It is partly effective on lesions 3 cm < phi < 5 cm.