Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Lung Tumors
RFA is a promising local therapy that has evolved rapidly in recent years for the treatment of primary and secondary cancers in the lung. The feasibility and safety profile in humans are well established. Complications following RFA are similar to those of CT-guided lung biopsies. However, sufficient long term results beyond 5 years are not yet available due to the relatively short time that this technology has been in use. Patients with smaller tumors (less than or equal to 3 cm) and fewer tumor nodules (less than or equal to 5 lesions) who are considered poor surgical candidates or who develop residual or recurrent disease despite maximal conventional therapy, and have tumors that are away from vital structures are the best candidates for RFA. Hence, RFA can be safely offered to patients who cannot undergo surgical resection. However the role of RFA in patients who are candidates for surgical resection is unproven, and there is no evidence on whether RFA is more or less effective that focused radiation (sterotactic body radiation therapy). Overall, RFA is a highly promising modality that may be used to our patients' advantage either as a solitary treatment or in combination with conventional therapy.