Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy in the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods: From May 1994 to June 2004, a total of 216 patients with 275 nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma whose diameter <or= 5 cm had undergone percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (193 men, 23 women; mean age, 54.68 years). Institute review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Complete tumor necrosis rates, long-term survival rates, recurrence rates and the complications of the patients were analyzed.
Results: The mean follow-up period after microwave ablation was 40 months +/- 24 (range, 6 - 127 months). One hundred fifty-nine remained alive and consulted our hospital periodically as outpatients. Fifty-seven patients died. Complete tumor necrosis was seen in 95.64% (263/275) patients. One, 2, 3, 4 and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 94.87%, 88.81%, 80.44%, 74.97% and 68.63%, respectively. One, 2, 3, 4 and 5-year cumulative recurrence rates were 20.01%, 32.04%, 39.57%, 44.97% and 52.90%, respectively. Three patients have severe complications, including needle track implantation in one patient, biliary fistula in two patients. One patient died of pulmonary infection one week after the treatment.
Conclusion: Sonographically-guided microwave coagulation therapy could make complete tumor necrosis in most cases of early hepatocellular carcinoma with low incidence of complications and this method has satisfactory long-term curative effect.