[Radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors and -metastases]

Radiofrequency ablation is increasingly used to treat tumors "beyond the liver". The aim of this article is to perform a structured and critical review of the current literature concerning RFA of the lung and to compare these results with our own experience.

16 patients with tumors or metastases of the lung were treated in our institution within 18 months. 8 of these 16 patients were treated in a multicenter trial. For this article we compared our results to the results of all publications concerning RFA of the lung since 1995.

8 of our 16 patients were not included in the international multicenter trial and were followed-up at least 15 months. Within this observation period, 2 of 8 patients had recurrence of the tumors while in 6 patients no recurrence was detected. Lee et al. published a study with 30 patients. In 10 of these 30 patients RFA was performed in a curative intention with a therapeutical success in 8 of 10 patients after one year.

Radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors smaller than 3 cm appears to be an alternative to surgical removal. Moreover, RFA offers a higher quality of life for the patients due to a low morbidity and mortality. However, more studies with longer observation periods are necessary for a definite conclusions.