Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine the technical success rate of creating a safety margin of 5 mm or more including the tumor by performing image-guided percutaneous microwave thermal therapy using a microwave generator and antenna developed by StarMed for the treatment of small liver cancer and the 1-year local recurrence rate based on follow-up imaging tests.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child-Pugh Class A or B
• Patients with suspected hepatocellular carcinoma or residual/recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma of 4 cm or less on MDCT, CEUS, or MRI performed within the last 60 days or Patients with suspected metastatic liver cancer of 4 cm or less on MDCT, CEUS, or MRI performed within the last 60 days, for whom microwave thermal ablation is being considered

Exclusion Criteria:

• In cases where there are three or more malignant liver tumors
• When the maximum size of the tumor exceeds 4 cm
• Diffuse infiltrative type of cancer with unclear tumor boundaries
• When the tumor is adhered to the central hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein, or bile duct by 5 mm or more
• Severe liver failure (Child-Pugh Class C)
• In cases of vascular invasion by malignant liver tumors
• Severe coagulopathy (platelet count below 50,000/mm³ or INR prolonged by more than 50%)
• In cases of multiple extrahepatic metastases
• Situations where it is highly unlikely to obtain appropriate data for research purposes