Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We introduce the microwave coagulation system and the technique of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) and report the effect of PMCT for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We used PMCT as a new percutaneous local treatment for single HCC measuring 2 cm or less in diameter (small HCC). We performed PMCT on 59 patients with small HCC. The 5-year survival rate was 70% and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 22%. Serious complications have not been experienced in this study. PMCT appears to be a safe and effective treatment for solitary small liver cancer.