Microwave Ablation of Refractory Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Liver

Ruben Geevarghese1, Henry Kunin1, Elena N Petre1

  • 1Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.

Abstract

Insights

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a safe and effective treatment for liver metastases (LMs) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Younger patients and those without synchronous lung tumors showed longer survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Liver metastases (LMs) are common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Microwave ablation (MWA) offers a minimally invasive treatment option for LMs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of MWA for treating LMs in NSCLC patients.
  • To identify factors influencing local tumor progression-free survival (LTPFS) and overall survival (OS).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 23 NSCLC patients with 32 LMs treated with MWA (March 2015-July 2022).
  • Kaplan-Meier and competing risk analyses for LTPFS and OS.
  • Adverse events recorded per CTCAE v5.0.

Main Results:

  • 100% technical success and 81.3% technical effectiveness for 32 LMs.
  • Median LTPFS of 16.3 months and median OS of 31.7 months.
  • Ablation margin, older age, and synchronous lung metastases significantly impacted survival.

Conclusions:

  • Percutaneous MWA is a safe and effective treatment for NSCLC-related LMs.
  • Favorable survival outcomes observed in younger patients and those without synchronous lung tumors.

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