ABSTRACT

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.

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.

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.

RFA is an effective method for treating unresectable lung carcinoma and lung metastases.

Keywords: radiofrequency catheter ablation, lung neoplasms, neoplasm metastasis