Thoracoscopic Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Asahara Toshimasa

Katayama Koji

Itamoto Toshiyuki

Okamoto Yuzo

Nakahara Hideki

Yoshioka Shinkichiro

Ono Eiji

Dohi Kiyohiko

Kitamoto Mikiya

Nakanishi Toshio

Moriwaki Katsufumi

Shiroyama Kazuhisa

Yuge Osafumi

Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences

[PISSN] 0018-2052

[EISSN] 2433-7668

[NCID] AA00664312

Thoracoscopic microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) is a new therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in segments VII and VIII, which allows minimal access to the tumor and complete tumor ablation. In this study, four patients with HCC in segments VII and VIII underwent thoracoscopic MCT as a less invasive therapeutic option due to advanced liver cirrhosis and/or severe complications. Tumor sizes ranged from 15 to 30 mm in diameter and the tumors were well differentiated in 2 patients, moderately in one and poorly in one patient. Microwave irradiation was performed at an SOW output with a 60-sec duration via a thoracoscopic route and the total duration ranged from 4 to 24 min (mean: 17 min). Patients recovered rapidly to preoperative conditions and no mortality was occurred. Complications were observed in one patient, including pleural effusion and fever elevation, but were cured conservatively. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) showed complete tumor ablation with a cancer-free margin, which is thought to be equivalent to a limited hepatic resection. This preliminary study suggests that thoracoscopic MCT might be a new, less invasive option providing a cure for HCC in segments VII and VIII in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and severe complications.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Microwave coagulation therapy

Thoracoscopic operation

Medical sciences [ 490 ]

eng

Hiroshima University Medical Press

[ISSN] 0018-2052

[NCID] AA00664312