Effectiveness and Safety of Splenic Microwave Ablation Combined with Hepatic Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Hypersplenism: A Prospective Study in 5 Patients

The aim was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of splenic microwave ablation (MWA) combined with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with hypersplenism. Five patients suffering from primary HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis were received MWA combined with TACE. Follow-up examinations included calculation of peripheral blood cells (leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells) and treatment-associated complications. After treatment, leukocyte and platelet counts were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than prior-treatment. Right upper quadrant pain occurred in 3 patients, fever occurred in 4 patients, and mild nausea & vomiting occurred in 3 patients. Complications such as pleural effusion, ascites, bacterial peritonitis, and variceal bleeding did not occur after treatment. So, MWA combined with TACE is effective and safe for the patients with HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis. Corresponding author.