Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Tumours

The lung malignancy is the second most common malignancy among both males and females ,yet it comes first in the reported mortality rates. Primary lung cancer is considered an aggressive tumor ,with high recurrence rate after successful resection, and with the chemotherapy and external beam radiation resulting in unsatisfactory survival outcomes . On the other hand, the lung is a common site for metastases as 30% of patients dying of malignancy have lung metastases on autopsy. Tissue ablation provides an adequate treatment with minimal complications.

 RF ablation is a viable alternate or complementary treatment method for patients with Non Small Cell lung carcinoma or lung metastases of favourable histotypes who are not candidates for surgical resection. Indications of RFA for NSCLC include: non-surgical candidates with operable tumors (local recurrence, refusal of surgery), conjoint RT ,while RFA applications in lung metastases depends on the number, size and site allowing for complete ablation, whether the extrathoracic disease is under control. RFA can be also used for palliation in case of Pain, hemoptysis, cough not otherwise controllable.