Small (< or = 2-cm) breast cancer treated with US-guided radiofrequency ablation: feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasonographically (US) guided percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation in the local treatment of invasive breast carcinomas 2 cm or less in greatest diameter.


METHODS
RF ablation of 21 malignant lesions was performed in 20 patients immediately before their scheduled lumpectomy or mastectomy. A 15-gauge needle electrode was placed in the lesions, and the prongs of the needle electrode were deployed with real-time US guidance. A temperature of approximately 95 degrees C was maintained for 15 minutes at the tips of the prongs. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimens included use of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in its reduced form-diaphorase stain, which is specifically used to confirm thermal cell injury and lack of viability. The desired outcome of the procedure was ablation of the tumor and of an adequate margin around it, as confirmed by the absence of viable tissue in the surgical specimen.


RESULTS
In all 21 cases, complete ablation of the target lesion was visualized at US. In one patient, who had undergone preoperative chemotherapy for a mass that was initially judged to be a T2 tumor but who was found to have a small residual tumor at mammography and US performed at the time of ablation, the target lesion was ablated but residual in situ mammographically and US occult invasive carcinoma was found at histopathologic examination. There were no adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
US-guided percutaneous ablation of small invasive breast carcinomas is feasible and safe.
Dept of Diagnostic Radiology, Univ of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. fornage@swbell.net
Bruno D
BD
Fornage
Nour
N
Sneige
Merrick I
MI
Ross
Attiqa N
AN
Mirza
Henry M
HM
Kuerer
Beth S
BS
Edeiken
Frederick C
FC
Ames
Lisa A
LA
Newman
Gildy V
GV
Babiera
S Eva
SE
Singletary
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary