Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma: Indications and limitations based on local recurrence and required times of electrode needle puncture

Abstract

Of 55 nodules in 49 cases performed PMCT from May of 1994 to September of 1998, 29 nodules in 24 cases that had undergone monotherapy with PMCT over one year were used for examination of indications and limitations of PMCT based on local recurrence. The study suggests that efficacious indications for PMCT be cases in which tumor nodule diameter is 2 cm or less with well differentiation, resulting in virtually no local reoccurrence. For radical PMCT, electrode puncture and coagulation must be conducted in accordance with tumor diameter while the required times of puncture is considered to be an integral number rounded up from the maximum section area (cm²) of tumor. It should be noted that further study in required in cases with a greater tumor nodule diameter and lower differentiation.