Tumour characteristics and therapeutic results after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of secondary lung neoplasms.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of secondary lung tumours and evaluation of the treatment's results by contrast-enhanced CT scan.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen secondary lung neoplasms in 10 patients (mean age 64.3 years) had pulmonary radiofrequency and imaging follow-up. All the patients had absolute contraindications to the surgery. The procedure was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance with anaesthesiologic assistance. The results were evaluated by post-procedural contrast-enhanced CT scan and CT scans 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the treatment.
RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 26 months. A complete ablation according to the absence of enhancement after the procedure was obtained in all cases; pleural effusion was seen in 2 patients. The main adverse event was a pneumothorax, which occurred in 4 cases. A chest tube was required in two cases. A recurrence at the site of the treatment for one lesion was observed during a 12-month follow- up period. Three patients experienced systemic disease progression. In one of these 3 patients, this progression was associated with recurrence at the site of the treatment.
CONCLUSION: RFA seems to be possible for "non-surgical" patients with various histologic types of secondary lung tumours. Good results in terms of local tumour control validated by contrast-enhanced CT scan were observed during short-term follow-up evaluation.