A phase 1/pilot study of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of recurrent pediatric solid tumors.
BACKGROUND
This prospective study was designed to be the first to evaluate the toxicity of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with recurrent pediatric solid tumors.


METHODS
From 2003 through 2008, a phase 1/pilot study of RFA for recurrent pediatric solid tumors was conducted. A multidisciplinary cancer management team selected appropriate candidates for the study. Imaging-guided RFA was performed percutaneously. Repeat RFA was performed for recurrences when appropriate. Toxicity and imaging response was assessed at 1 month and 3 months prospectively. Accrual stopped in 2006, and data collection stopped in 2008.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients (ages 4 years-33 years; median age, 15 years) and 56 tumor sites were treated in 37 RFA sessions including 38 pulmonary, 11 musculoskeletal, and 7 hepatic lesions (82 lesion-treatments). Postprocedural pain was moderate (median 5 on a scale from 1 to 10) and lasted a median of 9 days. Prolonged hospitalization (beyond 1 day) occurred 17 times (range, 2 days-25 days; median, 3 days). Hypoxia supported by supplemental oxygen occurred in 8 of 16 patients and resolved within 1 month after each RFA. No patient had tumor lysis syndrome but myoglobinuria/hemoglobinuria occurred in 6 of 16 patients, all without renal damage. Serious complications from pulmonary RFA included 2 diaphragmatic hernias. Of 82 lesions imaged, 24 (29%) remained ablated at the end of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
The toxicity from RFA of recurrent pediatric solid tumors was real but limited, and RFA may offer a local tumor control alternative in carefully selected cases.
Hoffer
Fredric A
FA
Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. fred.hoffer@seattlechildrens.org
Daw
Najat C
NC
Xiong
Xiaoping
X
Anghelescu
Doralina
D
Krasin
Matthew
M
Yan
Xiaowei
X
Davidoff
Andrew M
AM
Furman
Wayne L
WL
Rodriguez-Galindo
Carlos
C
Spunt
Sheri L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D055815:Young Adult