Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for treatment of lip cancer

Abstract

Lip and oral cavity cancer is a severe and growing problem, ranked 16th for both incidence and mortality worldwide. These malignancies are mainly treated with surgery, which can cause a wide range of sequelae. Despite ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) being widely used, there is no report concerning its application in lip cancer. This study presents a case of ultrasound-guided MWA in a 97-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and lymph node metastases under the lower lip. The patient was unsuitable for surgery due to his older age. At the most recent 1-year follow-up after treatment, the patient remained in good condition with no symptoms of dysphagia or slurred speech, and the cosmetic results were excellent. Based on clinical evaluation and radiographic imaging, there was no evidence of metastasis or recurrence. Ultrasound-guided MWA could be a promising option for the management of lip cancer.