Microwave Ablation for Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer is a serious health concern among patients and their family members. But with advancements in the medical field and the discovery of new treatment procedures, eradicating major diseases like Liver Cancer has now become possible. 

Microwave ablation is one such procedure performed by an interventional radiologist, who uses ultrasound, CT, or MRI to locate the tumour. This process involves inserting a thin device directly into the tumour through the skin to apply heat and kill the tumour cells. Microwave ablation is a vital treatment for small- to medium-sized liver tumours, owing to its precision, shorter recovery time, and ability to preserve healthy liver tissue while eliminating tumour cells. In addition, microwave ablation is considered a standalone treatment, or it can also be combined with other treatments, such as TACE, systemic therapy, and surgery. Let’s understand it in detail.

Microwave ablation is a thermal ablation technique that uses microwave energy to heat tissue to high temperatures. The ablation technique uses a microwave antenna that generates electromagnetic waves, causing water molecules in tissues to oscillate rapidly and produce heat, thereby increasing tissue temperature and irreversibly damaging cancer cells. 

The ablation technique generates high temperatures rapidly and creates a larger ablation area. This is an advantage in treating liver cancer. The ablation technique is performed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia, depending on the patient's current condition.

Microwave ablation finds its principal application in the treatment of different types of liver tumours, such as: 

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer)
• Liver metastases from other cancers, such as colorectal cancer
• Small liver tumours that cannot be removed surgically
• Recurrent liver tumours after previous treatments
• Patients with multiple tumours that cannot be removed surgically 

Microwave ablation can also be used as a bridge therapy for patients awaiting liver transplantation.

Microwave ablation is a vital procedure for Liver Cancer. It is usually performed in a specially designed radiology or advanced medical setup. The process generally involves the following steps: 

1. Pre-Procedure Preparation: The medical imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRI, are usually done first in this procedure to determine the size, number, and location of the tumours. Blood tests are done to precisely evaluate how well the liver works and how well blood clots.
2. Anaesthesia Administration Once the initial tests are performed, the patient is sedated. General anaesthesia may be used depending on the case and individual preferences.
3. Image-Guided Probe Placement A small device that carries a microwave generator is inserted into the skin and placed directly into the tumour in the liver.
4. Energy Delivery Microwave energy is emitted from the device, heating the tumour cells while keeping normal cells intact.
5. Monitoring the Ablation Zone Imaging is used to monitor the area where treatment is being administered.
6. Probe Removal and Recovery The probe is then removed, and the patient is allowed to recover briefly before being discharged. 

The time taken for this procedure ranges from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the size and number of tumours.

The benefits of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer are:

• Minimally invasive procedure: It involves only a small puncture in the skin rather than a full incision.
• Short hospital stay: The patient can return to their normal activities within a few days.
• Highly precise treatment: It is highly precise in targeting liver cancer.
• Preservation of the liver: The normal part of the liver remains unaffected.
• Best treatment for small tumours: It is very effective for liver cancers smaller than 3 to 5 cm. 

With all these benefits, microwave ablation is a very significant treatment that should be considered for liver cancer patients.

However, despite its safety profile, like all other medical procedures, there are a few theoretical risks that need to be borne in mind: 

• Pain/discomfort at the site of treatment
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to surrounding tissues
• Fluid accumulation in the abdomen near the liver
• Liver failure and injury to the bile ducts 

The good news is that proper patient selection, along with expert medical staff, can go a long way in preventing these complications.

The recovery time after the ablation procedure using the microwave device is relatively shorter than with the conventional surgical method. Patients usually require hospital observation for a few days after the ablation procedure; however, some may require observation just for a night. 

The general aspects of recovery from the ablation procedure include: 

• Pain or discomfort at the point where the needle was inserted
• Fatigue 

Imaging studies to determine the effectiveness of the ablation procedure. The patient may be required to rest for a few days before resuming normal activities.

The effectiveness of the treatment of liver cancer using microwave ablation has been providing promising outcomes till now. Particularly for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. This treatment has the benefit of providing patients with liver cancer with adequate tumour control rates comparable to those provided by surgical resection. 

The factors that influence the success of microwave ablation are:

• Size of the tumour
• Number of tumours
• Position of the tumour within the liver
• Liver function
• Presence of cirrhosis or other liver diseases 

The treatment of liver cancer using microwave ablation might also be combined with other treatment options, such as TACE.

Gleneagles Hospitals offers liver cancer treatment services with the help of their team of hepatologists, oncologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists. The hospital makes use of the latest technology in the form of advanced imaging and ablation technologies to target liver cancer in the right way and safely provide the treatment. Each patient is provided with a treatment plan tailored to their individual condition, health, and liver status. 

Gleneagles Hospitals is the leading hospital that specialises in liver cancer and treatment procedures such as microwave ablation. With the help of the medical team and the latest medical technologies, the hospital has been providing effective and efficient treatment to patients who suffer from liver cancer.