BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency thermal ablation is an alternative option to manage primary or metastatic lung malignancies. It is particular useful for unresectable lesions because of the disease's location, prior resection, or comorbidities. Patients presenting with a lung tumor that occurs in a single lung due to a prior pneumonectomy are difficult to manage with a curative intent due to the risk of complications after local treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We hereby report on treatment of a primary non-small-cell lung cancer in a previously contralateral pneumonectomised patient using per-cutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency thermal ablation. We also discuss literature that describes similar alternative minimally invasive procedures. CONCLUSION: Despite being a high-risk procedure, radiofrequency should be considered for patients with a single lung particularly when ineligible to surgery or stereotactic ablative radiation therapy. The procedure should be ideally associated with a pre-operative preventive chest tube.
BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency thermal ablation is an alternative option to manage primary or metastatic lung malignancies. It is particular useful for unresectable lesions because of the disease's location, prior resection, or comorbidities. Patients presenting with a lung tumor that occurs in a single lung due to a prior pneumonectomy are difficult to manage with a curative intent due to the risk of complications after local treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We hereby report on treatment of a primary non-small-cell lung cancer in a previously contralateral pneumonectomised patient using per-cutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency thermal ablation. We also discuss literature that describes similar alternative minimally invasive procedures. CONCLUSION: Despite being a high-risk procedure, radiofrequency should be considered for patients with a single lung particularly when ineligible to surgery or stereotactic ablative radiation therapy. The procedure should be ideally associated with a pre-operative preventive chest tube.