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. Treatment approaches and results from published clinical studies are reviewed. The evolution of these thermal treatment modalities and limitations of currently available equipment is provided.
Results: The interstitial probes and equipment used for MCT and LITT for liver tumors are undergoing changes to improve treatment efficacy. Both MCT and LITT have been limited by the relatively small zone of coagulation produced with a single probe placement. Both techniques can be performed safely, and local recurrence and long-term survival rates are being established.
Conclusions: MCT and LITT are two alternative thermal ablation techniques being used to treat patients with primary and metastatic hepatic malignancies. The utility of these two treatments has been limited by the relatively small area of thermal necrosis produced around the interstitial probes, but design modifications and new equipment may improve these limitations.