European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 36, Issue 8 , Pages 725-730, August 2010

Results of single-probe microwave ablation of metastatic liver cancer

  • R. Hompes

      Affiliations

    • Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
  • ,
  • S. Fieuws

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biostatistics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
    • Department of Biostatistics, Universiteit Hasselt, Belgium
  • ,
  • R. Aerts

      Affiliations

    • Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
  • ,
  • M. Thijs

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
  • ,
  • F. Penninckx

      Affiliations

    • Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
  • ,
  • B. Topal

      Affiliations

    • Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Tel.: +32 16 344265; fax: +32 16 344832.

Accepted 10 May 2010.

Abstract 

Aims

Microwave ablation (MWA) is the most recent development in the field of local ablative therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability and reproducibility of single-probe MWA vs. radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver metastases smaller than 3cm in patients without underlying liver disease.

Methods

Sixteen liver metastases were treated using MWA, and matched for size and localisation with 13 metastases treated by RFA. Tumour diameters and postoperative ablation diameters were recorded (D1 transverse; D2 antero-posterior; D3 cranio-caudal; mm) on computed tomography scans.

Results

Median D1, D2, and D3 ablation diameters after MWA vs. RFA were 18.5 (12–64) vs. 34 (16–41)mm (p=0.003), 26 (14–60) vs. 35 (28–40)mm (p=0.046), and 20 (10–73) vs. 32 (20–45)mm (p=0.025), respectively. As compared to RFA, the variability between the lesions after MWA was significantly higher for D2 (p<0.0001) and D3 (p=0.002) but not for D1 (p=0.15). The ablation diameters were less uniform after MWA than after RFA (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Ablation diameters after single-probe MWA of metastatic liver tumours are highly variable and suboptimal. Improvements are needed before MWA can be implemented routinely.

Keywords: Malignancy, Liver, Microwave, Surgery

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00922181.

PII: S0748-7983(10)00121-6

doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2010.05.013

European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume 36, Issue 8 , Pages 725-730, August 2010