To explore the clinical effect of microwave ablation in the treatment of early small liver cancer (≤3 cm).

103 cases with small liver cancer (tumor number < 3 and maximum tumor diameter < 3 cm) who underwent microwave ablation from November 2016 to November 2018 were retrospectively collected. The rate of residual lesions, recurrence rate one-year after the operation, and surgical complications were observed and grouped according to tumor size (< 2 cm and≥2 cm group) and tumor numbers (solitary and 2 ~ 3 lesion groups). The therapeutic effects of each group were compared and analyzed.

The tumor residual rate and one-year recurrence rate of small liver cancer after microwave ablation were 11.7% and 35.0%, respectively. The post-ablation syndrome incidence rate was 52.4%, with no serious adverse events. Compared with tumors < 2 cm, patients with≥2 cm had a higher postoperative residual rate ( χ² = 7.651, P = 0.006), and the one-year recurrence rate of more solitary nodular tumors was lower (χ² = 10.125, P = 0.001).

Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment for early small liver cancer, and it is more effective for small solitary nodules (< 2 cm).

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Effect; Microwave ablation