Other thermal ablation techniques: microwave and interstitial laser ablation of liver tumors.

Background: Thermal ablation of hepatic malignancies is becoming a widespread treatment approach. In addition to radiofrequency ablation, microwave coagulation (MCT) and laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) are being used clinically to treat patients with liver cancers.

Methods: The principles and clinical indications for MCT and LITT are described.

Radiofrequency ablation in patients with primary breast carcinoma: a pilot study in 26 patients.

Background: The authors performed a pilot trial of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with T1 and T2 breast tumors 1) to confirm complete coagulative necrosis of tumor tissue and 2) to determine the safety and complications related to this treatment.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with biopsy-proven, invasive breast carcinoma underwent RFA of their breast tumors followed by immediate resection. Treatment was planned to ablate the tumor and a 5 mm margin of surrounding breast tissue.

Outcome of 67 patients with hepatocellular cancer detected during screening of 1125 patients with chronic hepatitis.

Objective: We performed this prospective screening trial in chronic hepatitis virus-infected patients to determine the incidence of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and the resectability and long-term survival rates of these HCC patients.

Summary Background Data: Chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection is a major etiologic factor in human HCC. It is not clear if routine screening of chronic viral hepatitis patients improves the survival of patients who develop HCC.