New Hope for Lung Cancer Patients

Radiofrequency ablation shows promise in treating disease

THURSDAY, May 8, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Radiofrequency ablation -- using heat to treat cancer -- may prove a safe, effective method for destroying lung tumors.

So says an Italian study presented May 8 at the American Roentgen Ray Society's annual meeting in San Diego.

Researchers treated 40 lung nodules in 18 patients with radiofrequency ablation and found it offers an effective alternative to extensive surgery, radiation therapy or additional chemotherapy.

Among the people in the study, 14 had lung metastases and four had non-small cell lung cancer that couldn't be surgically removed. All of those studied had undergone chemotherapy for their cancer.

The study found 90 percent of the lesions in the study subjects were destroyed by ultrasound-guided or CT-guided radiofrequency ablation. One person with non-small cell lung cancer who had evidence of residual disease a month after the radiofrequency ablation treatment was successfully re-treated.

"This study shows promise, but we suggest larger studies to better identify patients who could benefit from this therapy and to better assess the role of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of lung tumors," study investigator Dr. Cosmo Gadaleta says in a news release.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about radiofrequency ablation

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