Radiofrequency ablation for inoperable lung cancer: a case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Lung cancer remains a leading global malignancy with unmet treatment needs for unresectable cases.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an emerging local therapy for lung malignancies.
• Optimal treatment strategies for complex lung cancer scenarios are still under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of inoperable lung cancer successfully treated with a combination of RFA and radiotherapy.
• To evaluate the efficacy of RFA as a treatment modality for lung cancer, particularly in patients with poor lung function.

Main Methods:

• A 69-year-old male patient with a history of lung cancer presented with a new, inoperable lung mass.
• The patient underwent CT-guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy, complicated by pneumothorax and respiratory failure.
• Treatment consisted of radiation therapy (45 Gy in 3 fractions) combined with RFA.

Main Results:

• The combined RFA and radiotherapy treatment was successfully performed.
• Follow-up positron emission tomography-CT scans at nine months showed no fluorodeoxyglucose uptake at the ablation site, indicating complete remission.
• The patient tolerated the procedure well despite initial complications.

Conclusions:

• RFA, especially when combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, is an encouraging treatment option for selected lung cancer patients, including those with poor lung function.
• Successful application requires careful patient selection, appropriate equipment, and experienced medical staff.
• Further studies are needed to establish long-term outcomes for RFA in lung cancer treatment.