Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation in the management of lung tumors: presentation of clinical experience on a series of 35 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To present our results in a series of 35 patients with malignant pulmonary lesions, who underwent radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) during a period of 18 months.


METHODS
In our institution, 55 RFA sessions under computed tomography (CT) guidance were performed on 48 pulmonary malignant lesions (23 inoperable primary and 25 metastatic) in 35 patients.


RESULTS
Total necrosis was noted in 19 primary (82.6%) and in 19 metastatic lesions (76%). In four primary (17.4%) and in six metastatic lesions (14%), partial necrosis was achieved, and a second RFA session was performed. The 6-month spiral CT follow-up demonstrated recurrence in seven lesions (14.5%) (four primary and three metastatic), which were treated with an additional RFA session. Two of the patients who underwent the procedure died of disseminated disease after one year, accounting for a 1-year survival rate of 94.2%. Mean survival was 14.48 +/- 3.3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA is an effective method for treating unresectable lung carcinoma and lung metastases.
Thanos
Loukas
L
Department of Computed Tomography and Interventional Radiology, "Sotiria" General Hospital of Athens, Greece. loutharad@yahoo.com
Mylona
Sofia
S
Ptohis
Nikolaos
N
Tsiouris
Spyridon
S
Sotiropoulou
Evangelia
E
Pomoni
Anastasia
A
Pomoni
Maria
M
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography