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Study of therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background In the past two decades, thermal ablation therapy using energy sources has been increasingly accepted due to the advantages of greater capacity to devitalize hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with fewer treatment sessions. Among them, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) are the most commonly used modalities. Aim The aim of study was to compare RFA versus MWA in terms of therapeutic efficacy. Patients and methods This study included 130 patients proved to have HCC. They were divided into two groups. Group I included 70 patients who underwent RFA. Group II included 60 patients who underwent MWA. Results Comparison of complete ablation (CA), partial ablation (PA), local tumor progression (LTP), and distant recurrence was made between the two groups. The CA rate was 86.6% for the RF group and 91.6% for the MW group but without significance in lesions lower to 3 cm in diameter (P=0.7981). However, this difference was significant in lesions measuring 3.1–4 cm in diameter; the CA rate was 33.3% for the RF group and 85.7% for the MW group (P=0.0388). The PA rate was 13.3% for the RF group and 8.3% for the MW group but without significance in lesions lower to 3 cm in diameter (P=0.5843). However, this difference was statistically significant in lesions measuring 3.1–4 cm in diameter; the PA rate was 66.6% for the RF group and 14.2% for the MW group (P=0.0045). During the 18-month follow-up period for tumors lower to 3 cm in diameter of both groups, the LTP rate was 21% in the RF group and 13% in the MW group with a nonsignificant difference (P=0.1944), whereas for larger tumors (3.1–4 cm in diameter) the LTP rate was 33% in the RF group and 11% in the MW group with a significant difference (P=0.0387). Tumor distant recurrence was observed in 25 (41.6%) patients of the MW group and in 30 (42.8%) patients of the RF group with a nonsignificant difference (P=1.0000). Conclusion MW ablation is superior to RF ablation in HCC treatment, especially large one.