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Semin intervent Radiol 2010; 27(3): 268-275
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1261785
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Current Status of Thermal Ablation Treatments for Lung Malignancies

Damian E. Dupuy1 , Maria Shulman1
  • 1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 August 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

About 75% of lung cancer patients are not surgical candidates, either due to advanced disease or medical comorbidities. Furthermore, conventional treatments that can be offered to these patients are beneficial only to a small percentage of them. Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that is commonly used in this group of patients, and which has shown promising results. Currently, the most widely used ablation techniques in the treatment of lung malignancies are radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation, and cryoablation. Although the most studied technique is RFA, recent studies with microwave ablation and cryoablation have shown some advantages over RFA. This article reviews the application of thermal ablation in the thorax, including patient selection, basic aspects of procedure technique, imaging follow-up, treatment outcomes, and comparison of ablation techniques.

KEYWORDS

Lung cancer - thermal ablation - radiofrequency ablation - cryoablation - microwave ablation

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Damian E DupuyM.D. 

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital

Alpert Medical School at Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903

Email: DDupuy@Lifespan.org