Microwave coagulation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) is a new therapeutic tech nique for the treatment of solid neoplasms. In this report, we present our 5 years' experience with PMCT for the treatment of 69 hepatocellular carcin omas (HCCs) in 60 patients. Under ultrasonic guidance, we inserted a 2.1 mm guiding needle percutaneously toward the lesion and a needle electrode was precisely positioned within the lesion. Microwaves, with a frequency of 24 50 MHz, were produced for 60 s, with 60 W emission. The overall success rat e was 72%, the mean disease-free period was 24.2 months. The procedures wer e safe and tolerable for all patients. Slight pain and heat sensation were encountered in most patients. We consider PMCT an effective and safe treatm ent for HCCs.