2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP02.02-008. Transbronchial Microwave Ablation of Lung Nodules - Good Safety Profile and Promising Mid-Term Results

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Transbronchial microwave ablation is a new approach for treating lung nodules that offers a larger and more predictable ablation zone compared to radiofrequency energy. It also has the advantage of potentially reducing pleural-based complications compared to the percutaneous approach. <br /><br />A study was conducted on 73 patients with 90 lung nodules using transbronchial microwave ablation in a hybrid operating room from March 2019 to February 2022. The patients were eligible for this treatment because they either refused surgery or had a high surgical risk. The lung nodules included proven lung cancers, metastases, or radiologically suspicious nodules. The mean maximal diameter of the nodules was 15.3mm.<br /><br />The technical success rate of the ablation procedure was 100%, with 24 nodules undergoing double ablation and 2 nodules undergoing triple ablation. The mean minimal ablation margin was 5.4mm. The mean hospital stay was 1.57 days, and 96% of patients were discharged by post-ablation day 3.<br /><br />There were some complications reported, including mild pain (11.1%), pneumothorax (5.6%), post-ablation reaction (3.3%), pleural effusion (2.2%), and hemoptysis (1.1%). However, the overall safety profile was good.<br /><br />In terms of mid-term results, out of the 42 nodules that completed a 1-year follow-up CT, 3 had a complete response, 27 had a partial response, 9 had stable disease, and only 3 (7.1%) had progressive disease at the ablation site. The median follow-up period was 18 months, and 4 cases experienced ablation site recurrence. The average progression-free interval for these cases was 6.7 months.<br /><br />Overall, transbronchial microwave ablation shows promise as a safe and effective treatment option for early stage lung cancers, lung metastases, or highly suspicious lung nodules in selected cases. Anatomical considerations and disease factors should be taken into account during patient selection for this procedure.

Asset Subtitle

Wing Yan Joyce Chan

Meta Tag

Speaker Wing Yan Joyce Chan

Topic Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer - Radiotherapy

Keywords

Transbronchial microwave ablation

Lung nodules

Radiofrequency energy

Pleural-based complications

Hybrid operating room

Surgical risk

Maximal diameter

Ablation margin

Hospital stay

Mid-term results