A 71-year-old woman was found to have an increase in AFP while she was followed for type C chronic hepatitis in the department of internal medicine in our hospital. She was diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma at the liver S8 with the size of 2.5cm, and was transferred to the department of surgery for treatment. Under a small open thoracotomy, microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) was performed. A needle biopsy cytology resulted in moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. After AICT, AFP level rapidly increased and a dynamic CT scan about 3 months later revealed remarkable early enhancement at the site of MCT. Barsed on fluoroscopic patterns, recurrence occurred in more malignant histology of moderately to poorly differentiated type. There were no formations of A-P shunt and A-V shunt, and two times of TAE were successful. Approximately 4 years later, the patient died of hepatic failure.
MCT is a valuable local therapy for liver cancer, but sometimes, insufficient therapy permits abrupt progression of the tumor. This case which is suggestive is presented here.