[Radiofrequency ablation for palliation of soft tissue tumor pain].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for palliation of soft tissue tumor pain.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 12 patients receiving palliative treatment for soft tissue tumors (5 primary tumors including 4 sarcomas and 1 PEComa and 7 metastatic tumors) with pain refractory to standard management. RF ablation was performed under CT or ultrasound guidance.


RESULTS
The efficacy was determined by using pain scores and treatment regimen modifications after RF ablation. Response was graded as absent, partial or complete. Short term symptomatic relief was observed in 100% of cases, with complete response in 43% of cases ; Mid term and long term symptomatic relief was observed in 70% and 83% of cases respectively. We also observed dosage reduction for narcotics with corresponding reduction in related side-effects and functional improvement in some patients. A single case of complication with serosanguinous collection within a region of necrosis was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency ablation for palliation of soft tissue tumor pain may be a useful complement to standard management. It results in symptomatic improvement with few complications.
Service de Radiologie Adultes, Hôpital Brabois, CHU de Nancy, rue du Morvan, 54511 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy. sanouracine@hotmail.com
R
R
Sanou
C
C
Bazin
I
I
Krakowski
H
H
Boccaccini
J
J
Mathias
S
S
Beot
F
F
Marchal
D
D
Regent
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000698:Analgesia; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010146:Pain / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care; D054973:Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D009294:Narcotics