Percutaneous Microwave Coagulation Therapy with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hypovascular Liver Cancer

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) combined with tran-scatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE) in treating hypovascular liver cancer. Methods: A total of 113 nodules of hypovascular liver cancer in 62 patients were diagnosed by liver biopsy and digital subtraction angiography(DSA). Of the 62 patients, 9 cases were with hepatocellular carcinoma. 25 cases with cholangiocarcinoma and 28 cases with metastatic liver tumor. The patients were divided into two groups: (1)In group TACE, 30 cases were treated with TACE. (2) In group TA-CE + PMCT, 32 cases were treated with TACE and then followed by ultrasound-guided PMCT. If tumor necrosis was not complete or recurrence was detected, repeated PMCT or TACE was performed. Results: After treatments, patients response rales was 90. 6% and 53. 3% , 1-year and 2-year survival rates was 90. 6% , 59. 4% and 40% , 3. 3% , the rate of normalized serum tumor maker was 76. 7% and 17. 9%, respectively. There were significant statistical differences between two groups(P 0. 01). Conclusion:The combination of PMCT and TACE therapy for hypovascular liver cancer is a safe, effective and mini-trauma modality.