[Radiofrequency Ablation for Lung Ground-glass Nodule]

With the wide application of computed tomography (CT) in the screening of early lung cancer, more and more ground glass nodules (GGNs) have been found. Early intervention is helpful to improve the survival rate of lung cancer patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative option to manage primary or metastatic lung malignancies. The purpose of this study is to review the safety and clinical efficacy for lung GGN treated by RFA.

From June 2016 to March 2021, 24 patients with a total of 28 lung GGNs in our hospital underwent 28 sessions of RFA. There were 13 males and 11 females with an average age of (69.4±11.1) years. The size of GGN receiving RFA was (1.30±0.56) cm; The ablation range was (2.50±0.63) cm and ablation time was (15.00±8.68) min.

The procedure of all RFAs went smoothly, no perioperative deaths occurred and no serious complications during the operation. The median follow-up was 25 months. One case died of myocardial infarction 2 months after operation. All 28 GGNs showed no evidence of local progression and the local control rate was 100.0%. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 95.8% and 95.8%; the tumor specific survival rates were 100.0% and 100.0%, respectively.

RFA is a safe, effective and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of lung GGNs.