J Korean Radiol Soc.  2000 Oct;43(4):405-410. 10.3348/jkrs.2000.43.4.405.

Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy combined with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Preliminary Results

• Won YD
• Hahn ST
• Chung KW
• Park SH

• KMID: 1945498
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2000.43.4.405

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-five nodular HCCs [long diameter of 1.2 -10 (mean, 3.4) cm] in 19 patients (15males and 4 females) were treated by PMCT 4-138 days after TACE. Under ultrasound guidance, the carcinomas were punctured with a 14-G guideneedle through which a microwave electrode(25.0 cm in length, 1.6mm in diameter) was inserted. To coagulate the HCCs and surrounding hepatic parenchyma, microwave irradiation at 60W for 45 -60 seconds was then applied. One to three sessions of PMCT were performed at intervals of 2-6 days, and one week to 29 months later, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by spiral CT, angiography, and serum alpha-fetoprotein.
RESULTS
Eighteen of 25 HCCs (72.0%) were necrotized completely, but seven (28.0%) recurred. Ninety percent of HCCs smaller than 4 cm in long diameter showed complete remission, but all those larger than 4 cm recurred. Alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased markedly in five patients (26.3%), while in 12 (63.2%), asparate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed transient elevation. Minor complications occurred after PMCT (mild abdominal pain in 8 patients, fever in 7, pleural effusion in 3, portal vein thrombosis in 1, and hepatic abscess in 1), but in no case was this serious.
CONCLUSION
PMCT combined with TACE provides effective and safe treatement for nodular HCCs with a long diameter of less than 4 cm.

Keyword

Liver, interventional procedures; Microwaves; Liver neoplasms, chemotherapeutic embolization

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
alpha-Fetoproteins
Angiography
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Fever
Humans
Liver Abscess
Microwaves*
Pleural Effusion
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Ultrasonography
Venous Thrombosis
alpha-Fetoproteins