According to the Primary Liver Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol (2017 Edition), ablation therapy is listed alongside surgical resection and liver transplantation as effective treatments for the eradication of liver cancer.
Rationale for microwave thermocoagulation therapy
Microwave thermocoagulation therapy for liver cancer is a physical thermal ablation therapy that uses electromagnetic energy to induce the rotation of water molecules within the targeted lesion, which in turn generates high temperature. When the temperature in the tumor rises rapidly to 60°C for 4-6 min, the tumor tissue becomes coagulated and necrotic, thereby destroying the tumor tissue.
The delivery of microwaves is not affected by drying and carbonization of liver tissue, so microwaves are faster than radiofrequency ablation and produce a larger range of ablation. Microwave ablation is not susceptible to the heat-sink effect, so it may be more effective for treating lesions adjacent to the hepatic veins and inferior vena cava.
Advantages of microwave thermocoagulation
A large number of patients in China have been treated with microwave ablation, whose main features are: large ablation range, high thermal efficiency, short treatment time, good hemostasis, higher safety, and definite efficacy.
For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who meet the indications for ablation therapy, microwave ablation therapy can be the first choice of treatment.
Direct percutaneous puncture of liver tumors under color ultrasound guidance, laparoscopic puncture or direct puncture of tumors after open abdomen can be performed. In particular, percutaneous puncture under color ultrasound guidance is truly minimally invasive and has a definite efficacy comparable to surgical resection, with the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and high cost effectiveness.