Radiofrequency Ablation as a Substitute for Surgery in Elderly Patients with Nonresected Breast Cancer: Pilot Study with Long-term Outcomes

Abstract

RF ablation in elderly patients with nonresected breast cancer is well tolerated and efficient at 1-year follow-up. The technique is not recommended for lobular carcinoma.

Image and pathological changes after microwave ablation of breast cancer: A pilot study

“…Similarly to previous studies [16,17,26], MR imaging clearly demonstrated the ablation area without enhancement in all patients, and it correlated well with histological finding. Moreover, the margin of the ablation zone was clear and smooth in all cases.…”

“…Since satisfied cosmetic outcomes may be obtained by nonsurgical ablative therapies without the removal of breast tissue, ablative therapies have been evaluated in many clinical research studies [3,[15][16][17][18]. Our previous phase I ablation-resection study firstly shows that MWA of small breast cancers is feasible under general anesthesia, but the extent of ablation zone may be underestimated [11].…”

“…So it is suitable for evaluating the efficacy of MWA. Previous studies suggest MR imaging is suitable for long-term follow-up of radiofrequency ablated breast cancer [17,20]. The pathological confirmation of the efficacy is the gold standard for MWA of breast cancer.…”

Surgical treatment of nonpalpable primary invasive and in situ breast cancer

“…These techniques have been used to ablate cavity margins after standard surgical excision, [96][97][98][99] as well as to ablate the primary cancer itself. [100][101][102] Owing to the percutaneous instrumental manipulation involved, these techniques can have similar complications to standard surgery, including scarring, skin burns, haematomas, and infection. 96,100,101 The percutaneous techniques for the treatment of breast cancer all apply the same principles of placement of treatment probes into the centre of the lesion under ultrasound-guidance.…”

The current role of radiologists in a multidisciplinary team treating breast cancer

“…As ablation makes the posterior evaluation of molecular markers impossible, these markers must be determined from a previous biopsy (43). Radiofrequency ablation is not recommended in invasive lobular carcinoma due to this cancer's higher risk of microscopic spread (44).…”