Kathmandu, June 5

Microwave ablation procedure was recently used in the country for the first time to remove tumour from the lungs of a 20-year-old patient at Nepal Mediciti Hospital in Lalitpur. The tumour was removed without making any incision on the body.

The technology destroys tumours using heat generated by microwave energy and patients do not have to undergo surgery. A small laparoscopic port is inserted to access the tumour. “Ultrasound and CT scan guidance is used to pinpoint the tumour’s exact location. A thin antenna which emits microwaves is then inserted into the tumour. The heat produced destroys tumour tissues,” said Om Biju Panta, clinical associate, Interventional Radiology at Nepal Mediciti Hospital.

This procedure can remove cancer cells measuring 3 cm to 5 cm. It costs Rs 1.5 lakh. “The success rate for completely eliminating tumours is 95 to 98 per cent,” said Panta. A large number of cancer patients can benefit from the procedure. “It is effective when surgery is not possible and tumours are scattered,” added Panta.

“The procedure has been used on 12 patients in Nepal Cancer Hospital and Research Centre. It is helpful in removal of cancer cells from the liver, thyroid gland, breasts, abdomen and nodules.

It reduces the time patients remain under general anaesthesia. It is helpful as multiple tumours can be ablated at the same time,” said Amrit Koirala, interventional radiologist at Nepal Cancer Hospital. The procedure is effective in patients who are not fit to receive anaesthesia.

However, sometimes removal of tumour may be incomplete, but the remaining parts can always be removed with the same kit, said Koirala.

That’s a minor disadvantage, considering that the patient doesn’t have to undergo the whole process of surgery, stay in intensive care unit, undergo radiotherapy or other medical treatment.