Microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma appears adequate to support the use of this procedure provided that the normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

Patient selection should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team that includes a hepatobiliary surgeon.

The procedure should be performed under appropriate imaging guidance.

A number of devices are available, and there is some uncertainty about the energy levels that should be used. Any adverse events relating to this procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Further research on long-term survival outcomes and comparisons of microwave ablation with other ablative techniques will be useful.