Common Uses

• Radio frequency ablation of a lung tumor is most commonly used to help destroy tumors and abnormal cells in patients who are too sick to go through conventional surgery and for patients who wish to avoid conventional surgery. It can be beneficial when the patient only has a small amount of lung cancer spreading, such as to the intestine, kidney or breast. It is also beneficial for patients who have a large tumor that will not be able to be removed through conventional surgical techniques. Other uses may include relieving pain when a lung tumor goes into the chest wall and reducing a tumor's size so that radiation therapy and chemotherapy will be more effective.
  
  

Procedure

• RFA works by having electrical currents pass through the grounding pads that will be placed on the patient's skin and through the needle electrode. Heat will be produced around these electrodes, which will destroy the cancer cells. Radio frequency ablation will only destroy the tumor and a very small amount of tissue surrounding it. It also helps to reduce the risk of bleeding because it will close the small blood vessels. The destroyed tumor cells will then be replaced over time by scar tissue. The doctor performing the procedure will often use an imaging device to help guide the needle electrode, which will be slowly inserted into the skin and into the tumor site. Once it is in place, the radio frequency energy will be passed through it. In most cases, this procedure will take a few hours from start to finish. Some patients will need to have this procedure performed more than once.
  
  

Experience

• Most patients will experience a slight prick when the needle electrode is guided into their skin. The insertion of the IV will cause a slight prick, as well. Patients will be given a sedative to help them relax, but in most cases will not be put to sleep. If the patient experiences pain after radio frequency ablation of a lung tumor, they will be given pain medication, most often through their IV. Most patients will also be sent home with some oral pain medications. If any nausea is present the patient may be given oral nausea medication for home use, or IV nausea medication when they are in the hospital. Two hours after this procedure is complete, the patient will have a chest x-ray to make sure that their lung has not collapsed. About 30 percent of patients will experience a collapsed lung with this procedure. About 10 percent of patients will need a chest tube because of this.
  
  

Limitations

• For some patients, this procedure is not practical. Those with a lung tumor close to blood vessels, the central airway or the heart may not be able to have radio frequency ablation for a lung tumor. Those with tumors in difficult areas to reach and those with large lung tumors may require several procedures.
  
  

Risks

• Patients undergoing a radio frequency ablation for lung tumors may be at risk for complications. Some patients may experience a condition in which gas or air collects in the chest cavity, resulting in a partial lung collapse (pneumothorax). Most patients will not require treatment, but those who do will have a tube inserted into their chest to drain the air. Though uncommon, significant bleeding and severe pain can occur. Patients may experience shortness of breath if fluid collects between the membrane covering of the lung and the lung itself. To remove this fluid, the doctor will insert a needle and draw the fluid out. In rare cases, patients may experience a worsening of other lung conditions after having this procedure. There is also the risk of infection, though this only occurs in approximately one percent of patients.