OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently used for hepatic malignant tumors, but few reports discuss its use for lung tumors. We report our pilot clinical study with RFA for the treatment of pulmonary malignant tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients with histologically-proven malignant primary and three metastatic lung tumors underwent a total of 11 RFA procedures. RFA was performed in two patients as palliative therapy to shrink the tumors and in six as radical therapy. All RFA was performed by the percutaneous CT-guided approach. RESULTS: Three tumors were completely ablated by one procedure. Contrast CT revealed cyst cavity formation or scar formation at these three tumors. Gd contrast-enhanced MRI revealed cystic lesions with ringlike enhancement or scar formation. Partial ablation after the first procedure was noted in six tumors including the two palliative cases. RF ablation was well tolerated in all patients. Intraprocedural complications included six cases of pneumothorax (one patient required chest tube placement), six cases of pleural effusion (two patients required chest tube placement), one case of pneumonia (improved immediately with antibiotics), three cases of bloody sputum (mild), and six cases of chest pain (all cases after the procedure). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot clinical study demonstrates that CT-guided RFA is a relatively safe and effective treatment option for malignant lung tumors. Additional trials are needed to determine the safety, efficacy, and optimal indications of RFA.
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