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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Sarcoma lung metastases treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: results from 29 patients
J Palussière1, A Italiano, E Descat
1Department of Radiology, Institut Bergonié, Regional Cancer Center, Bordeaux, France. palussiere@bergonie.org
Purpose:
We aimed to determine safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of lung metastases arising from sarcoma.
Methods:
Between 2002 and 2009, 29 patients (mean age 51 years) treated for metastatic sarcoma with a maximum of 5 lung metastases treatable with RFA were followed prospectively. The end points were local efficacy (assessed by computed tomography during the follow-up period), complications, and survival (overall and disease-free).
Results:
A total of 47 metastases were treated with RFA. Median follow-up time was 50 months (range 28-72 months). Pneumothorax was the most frequent complication and occurred in 68.7% of the procedures. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 92.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73-0.98) and 65.2% (95% CI 0.42-0.81), respectively. Disease-free survival was 7 months (95% CI 3.5-10). Five recurrences on RFA sites were noted during follow-up.
Conclusions:
RFA is safe and efficient in the treatment of lung metastasis originating from sarcomas. RFA may provide a low-morbidity alternative to surgery, being less invasive and preserving the patient's ability to undergo possible repeat operations.
