We have performed percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the size below 3 cm since 1994. In the present study, we examined the complication of 117 patients with HCC (including recurrent cases) having undergone PMCT. There was no severe complication with PMCT requiring a treatment except one patient with hemothorax (0.9%). Clinical results of the patients with single occurrence of HCC below 3 cm in size were examined by comparing the cumulative survival rate and cumulative nonrecurrent survival rate among the group of 16 patients having undergone PMCT as initial treatment, that of 38 patients given hepatectomy and that of 34 patients treated percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) in the same period using Kaplan-Meier method. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was 93% in the group given PMCT, 72% in that given hepatectomy and 68% in that given PEIT, respectively. Similarly, the 4-year cumulative nonrecurrent survival rate was 29% in the group given PMCT, 38% in that given hepatectomy and 15% in that given PEIT, respectively. In conclusion, PMCT was a safe and less-invasive therapy similarly to PEIT. A therapeutic effect comparable to hepatectomy could be expected for PMCT in the patients with HCC below 3 cm in size.
