Percutaneous hot water injection and microwave coagulation therapy for small hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract We performed percutaneous hot water injection and microwave coagulation therapy (PHMCT) in ten patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) (11 nodules) measuring less than 30 mm in diameter. In three nodules in which the volume of injected hot water was less than 10 ml, the long-axis diameter of the necrotic area 1 week after PHMCT was 22.0±7.2 mm (mean±S.D.) and the short-axis diameter was 17.3±2.3 mm. In eight nodules in which the volume of injected hot water was more than 15 ml, the long-axis diameter of the necrotic area was 28.0±6.0 mm and the short-axis diameter was 19.5±3.3 mm. There were no serious complications. We also compared the usefulness of PHMCT and PMCT in patients with HCCs. There was significant difference in the short-axis diameter of the necrotic area between the PHMCT group injected hot water with more than 15 ml and the PMCT group. Our findings indicate that PHMCT is a safe and effective treatment for small HCCs.