Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) as compared with hepatectomy in 19 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 6 patients with tumors more than 3cm in diameter, coagulation was inadequate after a single session of PMCT. Patients with multiple tumors had recurrence within 1 year. For single tumors 3cm or less in diameter, the therapeutic effectiveness of PMCT was comparable to that of hepatectomy in cumulative survival and cancer-free survival rates. We conclude that PMCT should be used in the initial treatment of HCC only in patients with single tumors of up to 3cm in diameter. Surgical removal is recommended for tumors of more than 3cm in diameter.