Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Malignancies: Where Do We Stand?
- University of Pisa, Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Department of Oncology, Transplants, and Advanced Technologies in Medicine (Italy)
- University of Pisa, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac and Thoracic Department (Italy)
- University of Pisa, Division of Pathology, Department of Oncology, Transplants, and Advanced Technologies in Medicine (Italy)
- Cisanello University Hospital, Division of Anesthesiology (Italy)
Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive technique used to treat solid tumors. Because of its ability to produce large volumes of coagulation necrosis in a controlled fashion, this technique has gained acceptance as a viable therapeutic option for unresectable liver malignancies. Recently, investigation has been focused on the clinical application of RF ablation in the treatment of lung malignancies. In theory, lung tumors are well suited to RF ablation because the surrounding air in adjacent normal parenchyma provides an insulating effect, thus facilitating energy concentration within the tumor tissue. Experimental studies in rabbits have confirmed that lung RF ablation can be safely and effectively performed via a percutaneous, transthoracic approach, and have prompted the start of clinical investigation. Pilot clinical studies have shown that RF ablation enables successful treatment of relatively small lung malignancies with a high rate of complete response and acceptable morbidity, and have suggested that the technique could represent a viable alternate or complementary treatment method for patients with non-small cell lung cancer or lung metastases of favorable histotypes who are not candidates for surgical resection. This article gives an overview of lung RF ablation, discussing experimental animal findings, rationale for clinical application, technique and methodology, clinical results, and complications.
- OSTI ID:
- 21088184
- Journal Information:
- Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 27, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1007/s00270-004-0008-6; Copyright (c) 2004 Springer-Verlag New York, LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0174-1551
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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