The influence of microwave ablation parameters on the positioning of trocar in different cancerous tissues: a numerical study

ABSTRACT

The present study analyzed the microwave ablation of cancerous tumors located in six major cancer-prone organs and estimated the significance of input power and treatment time parameters in the apt positioning of the trocar into the tissue during microwave ablation. The present study has considered a three-dimensional two-compartment tumour-embedded tissue model. FEA based COMSOL Multiphysics software with inbuilt bioheat transfer, electromagnetic waves, heat transfer in solids and fluids, and laminar flow physics has been used to obtain the numerical results. Based on the mortality rates caused by cancer, the present study has considered six major organs affected by cancer, viz. lung, breast, stomach/gastric, liver, liver (with colon metastasis), and kidney for MWA analysis. The input power (100 W) and ablation times (4 minutes) with apt and inapt positioning of the trocar have been considered to compare the ablation volume of various cancerous tissues. The present study addresses one of the major problems clinicians face, i.e. the proper placement of the trocar due to poor imaging techniques and human error, resulting in incomplete tumor ablation and increased surgical procedures. The highest values of the ablation region have been observed for the liver, colon metastatic liver and breast cancerous tissues compared with other organs at the same operating conditions.

Plain Language Summary

The present study has investigated the application of microwave ablation for cancer treatment in six major organs, specifically emphasizing the evaluation of ablation volume during the procedure. Using COMSOL-Multiphysics software, the study has investigated MWA of tumor embedded organs in the lung, breast, stomach, liver, and kidney. The positioning of the trocar, a crucial element in the treatment process, has been examined to address challenges in effectively ablating tumors.

From the results, it has been revealed that liver, colon metastatic liver, and breast cancer tissues exhibited the largest areas of ablation volume compared with other organs.Organs like the breast and hepatic glands, characterized by lower heat capacity and density, have shown larger ablation zones. Trocar positioning significantly influenced the stomach, liver, and kidney, where improper placement led to notable increases in ablation volume, posing a risk of unintended damage to healthy tissue.

Further, the study has concluded that precise trocar positioning plays a crucial role in optimizing microwave ablation. This precision has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. The insights gained from this research offer valuable information for clinicians looking to enhance the precision of cancer therapies, ultimately aiming for improved outcomes for patients.

KEYWORDS:

• Microwave ablation
• finite element method
• trocar positioning
• COMSOL-multiphysics

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India vide grant number CRG/2020/004448 for providing necessary support and Indian Institute of Technology Ropar for providing essential infrastructure to carry out the present research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board [CRG/2020/004448].