Cover image for Vol. 16 Issue 4
Journal of Digestive Diseases
Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online and citable. The final edited and typeset version of record will appear in future.)
Abstract
Background and study aims
Thermal ablative therapies continue to acquire favor to be safe and effective for the treatment of patients with non resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Percutaneous microwave ablative therapy which is a relatively new technique has the advantage in providing faster ablation of larger tumors. This study aimed to evaluate microwave ablation in treatment of large HCCs (5-7cm) and to assess its effect on local tumor progression, prognostic outcome and patient's survival.
Methods
Twenty six patients with HCC lesions (5-7cm) were managed in our multidisciplinary clinic of Kasr Al Ainy University hospital using microwave ablation. It was performed with the patient under conscious sedation and analgesia, ultrasonography guided using HS AMICA microwave machine, operating at frequency of 2450 MHz and a power up to 100 W. Multiple needle insertions in one or two sessions according to the size of the lesion. Patients were assessed for efficacy and safety. Complete ablation rate, local tumor progression and overall survival analysis were evaluated.
Results
Complete ablation was achieved in (19/ 26; 73.1%) of the lesions. Local tumor progression was recorded in 5 treated lesions (19.2%). Distant tumor progression within the liver was recorded in 6 patients (23.1%), with a mean survival of 21.5 months. No major complications or deaths related to the procedure.
Conclusion
Microwave ablation by percutaneous approach is safe and effective in the treatment of large HCC tumor. The survival and local tumor control were acceptable.