3D Margin as a Predictor of Local Tumor Progression after Microwave Ablation: Intraprocedural vs 4–8-week Post-ablation Assessment

•The immediate intra-procedural 3D margin assessment is a more accurate predictor of local tumor progression than the margin assessment at 4-8 weeks post ablation, which is the current standard of care for evaluation of tumor ablation.•A 3D 5-mm minimal margin is a critical endpoint of tumor ablation, whereas a 10-mm margin covered circumferentially by the ablation zone ensures best outcomes.•Interventional real-time PET and the “split dose PET-CT technique” specifically used for real time guidance and assessments of the ablation zone could be used more widely.