1996 Volume 14 Pages 37-42
Although hepatectomy and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy have been widely used in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinomas of less than 3 cm in diameter in Japan, it is almost impossible to treat all small hepatocellular carcinomas according to one therapeutic method because both powerful treatments have various limitations. In patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas in whom these treatments are inappropriate, endoscopic or mini open microwave coagulo-necrotic therapy represents a new therapeutic alternative. In cases where any of these powerful local therapies can be performed, the selection among these three therapeutic options of hepatectomy, percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, and endoscopic or mini open microwave coagulo-necrotic therapy should be based on the patient's clinical and pathologic status. The addition of this new therapeutic method should improve the outcome in these patients.
