Numerical Modeling of Electromagnetic and Thermal Interactions in Microwave Ablation Therapy for Liver Cancer
Rodie Mohamed
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedical, Institute of Science and Modern Technology, Rojava University, North and East Syria, Syria.
Rosemarie Anton *
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Haidar Saify
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedical, Institute of Science and Modern Technology, Rojava University, North and East Syria, Syria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Microwave ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive technique for treating liver cancer, where precise modeling of electromagnetic and thermal interactions is essential for effective therapy planning. This study presents a three-dimensional numerical model integrating the Finite Difference Method (FDM) with the Crank–Nicolson Method (CNM) to solve coupled Maxwell's equations and the Pennes bioheat equation. The model incorporates temperature-dependent thermophysical properties and simulates a coaxial microwave antenna operating between 1–10 GHz. Simulation results show that increasing input power enhances the specific absorption rate (SAR) and tissue temperature. An input of 10 W raises central tissue temperatures beyond 60°C, sufficient for tumor ablation while sparing healthy tissue. The model demonstrates high numerical stability and captures key dynamics such as blood perfusion decline and conductivity variation with temperature. The proposed framework offers a robust and accurate tool for optimizing MWA protocols. It supports treatment planning by predicting energy deposition and temperature profiles with high fidelity and provides a foundation for future patient-specific simulations.
Keywords: Liver tumor, hyperthermia, microwave ablation, Finite Difference Method (FDM), crank-nicolson method, bioheat equation, electromagnetic simulation