CT-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation: A Potential Complementary Therapy for Patients with Unresectable Primary Lung Cancer—A Preliminary Report of 33 Patients

Abstract

Our experience suggests that radiofrequency ablation can be used successfully in unresectable lung cancer as an alternative or complementary treatment to radio- or chemotherapy. Larger studies are necessary to fully evaluate its potential combination with other treatment techniques.

Hot Saline Thermoablation of Peripheral Non Small Cell Lung Cancer safety and Efficacy: a Pilot Study

“…There was a statistically highly significant increase in quality of life score in group (B) after 3 months of treatment and after 6 months of treatment versus before the start of treatment. Our results were comparable to Belfiore et al, [6] who reported a significant improvement of quality of life 6 months after treatment by radiofrequency in tumor ablation. In our study, hot saline did not improve Karnofsky scale but prevent rapid deterioration in performance status and quality of life, so hot saline plus chemotherapy may be superior to chemotherapy alone.…”

“…These symptoms were scored before the start of treatment, 3 and 6 months after the first session of hot saline thermoablation and chemotherapy. Cough was evaluated according to Belfiore et al, (2004) [6]; no cough (0), intermittent cough (1) and persistent cough (3), hemoptysis according to Vankralingen et al, (1995) [7]; no hemoptysis(0), blood streaked (1), less than 20 ml /day (2), 20 -200 ml / day(3) and 600/day or ≥ 150 ml in a single attack (4), chest pain scoring according to The McGill Pain Questionnaire [8]; none(0), mild, requiring no medications (1), discomforting, requiring mild analgesics (2), distressing, requiring strong analgesics (3), horrible, requiring narcotic analgesics (4) and excruciating, not responding to narcotic analgesics (5) and dyspnea according mMRC scoring of dyspnea [9]. Evaluation of quality of life status according to Gridelli et al, (2004) [10].…”

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (rfa) in the management of lung tumors: presentation of clinical experience on a series of 35 patients from a single clinic.

“…Belfiore et al (28) found that clinical improvement in pre-treatment symptoms was observed in 12 of 29 patients seen at 6-month follow-up. In addition, Lee et al (9) demonstrated excellent palliation of mild hemoptysis (80%), but relatively less satisfactory palliation of chest pain (36%), dyspnea (36%), and cough (25%).…”

“…In the study by Akeboshi et al (12), PET showed higher sensitivity and specificity than contrast-enhanced CT in the early period post-ablation to detect residual tumor. On the other hand, Belfiore et al (28) suggest that CT scan follow-up in association with CT-guided biopsy are superior to CT findings alone in the assessment of treated lesions.…”

Percutaneous ablation of malignant thoracic tumors

“…More uncommon indications are reported in the literature, including palliation of symptoms such as pain, cough or hemoptysis, recurrent disease in a radiation field, or tumor debulking (2,3,14,28,(31)(32)(33)(34) (Fig. 5).…”