Abstract: Objective To investigate the therapeutic value of hepatic artery embolization plus microwave ablation in special hepatocellular carcinoma with the shortest distance between the lesion and organs less than 0.5 cm. Methods One hundred and ten patients with liver cancer in special sites treated in our hospital from May 2014 to May 2017 were selected. According to the location of the lesion, the patients were divided into adjacent diaphragm group (n = 38), adjacent heart group (n = 32) and adjacent gallbladder group (n = 40). Thirty-five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in common sites admitted in the same period were selected as control group. All patients were treated with hepatic artery embolization combined with microwave ablation. Short-term efficacy of the 4 groups was compared, tumor specific growth factor (TSGF), albumin (ALB) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the 4 groups were detected before and after treatment, and complications were observed. Long-term prognosis was evaluated in the 4 groups after 2 years of follow-up. Results The overall remission rates of adjacent diaphragm group, adjacent heart group, adjacent gallbladder group and control group were 73.68%, 71.88%, 67.50% and 82.86%, respectively. There was no difference among the 4 groups (P>0.05). After treatment, TSGF and AFP decreased and ALB increased in the 4 groups (P<0.05), but there was no difference among the groups (P>0.05). There was no difference in complications rate, disease-free survival time, overall survival time and mortality among the 4 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Hepatic artery embolization combined with microwave ablation is applicable to patients with liver cancer in special sites < 0.5 cm away from the viscera, with similar efficacy and safety in patients with liver cancer in special and common sites.

Key words: Special liver cancer, Hepatic arterial embolization, Microwave ablation, Security