Percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation of lung cancer: What is the evidence?

Abstract

Thermal ablation techniques have now been used for more than twenty years in the treatment of primary lung tumours, predominantly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although primarily used for the treatment of early-stage disease in non-surgical patients, thermal ablation is now also being used in selected patients with oligometastatic and oligoprogressive disease. This review discusses the techniques available for thermal ablation, the evidence for use of thermal ablation in primary lung tumours in early- and advanced-stage disease and compares thermal ablation to alternative treatment strategies.

Keywords: Cryoablation; Microwave ablation; NSCLC; Radiofrequency ablation; Thermal ablation.