Usefulness of percutaneous low output microwave tissue coagulation therapy for solitary liver cancer as a minimal invasive surgery

The possible use of percutaneous low output microwave tissue coagulation therapy (PLMCT) using ultra-sonography under local anesthesia for small solitary liver cancer was studied.The subjects were 19 patients having primary or metastatic liver cancer with solitary liver tumor less than 4 cm in diameter. Consisting of 5 primary, 7 reccurent hepatocellular carcinoma and 7 metastatic liver cancers. PLMCT was performed continuously 3 times at the output of 30 watts for 30 seconds at a time. Tumors less than 3 cm in diameter were completely coagulated by irradiation from 2 to 6 times judged by enhanced CT.No tumor recurrence was recognized in the coagulation area. Thus, the results suggest that PLMCT is a useful therapy for small solitary liver cancer especially, recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma as a minimal invasive surgery.