Objective: To evaluate clinical application of US-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for liver cancer.
Methods: 32 patients with 57 nodules of liver cancer were treated, 57 nodules were coagulated by 92 times at 182 different points. Output of one coagulation was 60 W last mg 240-300 sec.
Results: The follow-up period was 5-18 months, averaging 10.4 months. 29 patients remained alive, 3 patients died. After treatment, 85.9%(49/57) of the nodules decreased in size; color blood flow signal disappeared in 78.2(36/46) nodules on color and energy Doppler scans; and there was no enhancement in 76.4%(25/34) tumors on enhanced CT scans. In 13 patients with increased AFP level before therapy, it dropped to normal after treatment in 11 patients. Of 27 patients whoes a good general condition was good, 19 patients gained bodies weight. Repeated biopsy in 14 cases showed complete tumor necrosis with fibrosis in 12.
Conclusion: US-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy is able to induce total tumor necrosis of liver cancer in most cases. It can be expected as an important non-operative therapy of liver cancer.