Clinical application of Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma with new shaped laser probe

Background and Objectives: Surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not always regarded as the first choice of treatment, because most HCCs develop in cirrhotic liver. It becomes adaptation of minimally invasive treatments for HCC. In animal experiments, we previously reported that our newly developed neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser system could ablate liver tissue in short periods. Study Design/Patients and Methods: Six HCC cases (mean diameter; 16.3 +/- 3.50 mm) were enrolled. The Nd:YAG laser generator with a wavelength of 1,064 nm at 10 W of power emitted the laser in a forward fashion and in all patients the laser beam safely irradiated the target lesion. Results: There was no recurrence of HCC in the laser-ablated area in six patients for duration of 21.8 +/- 4.35 months. A local recurrence was found in only one patient. Conclusions: This study showed the clinical usefulness of laser ablation in the treatment of HCC. (C) 2004Wiley-Liss, Inc.