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Zhao et al. Mini-invasive Surg 2018;2:26 Mini-invasive Surgery
DOI: 10.20517/2574-1225.2018.27

Original Article Open Access

Repeat thermal ablation for local progression of
lung tumours: how safe and efficacious is it?

Henry Zhao , Satomi Okano , Anita Pelecanos , Karin Steinke 1,2
1,2
3
3
1 Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.
2 School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
3 QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
Correspondence to: Prof. Karin Steinke, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Bowen Bridge
Rd & Butterfield St, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia. E-mail: karin.steinke@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Zhao H, Okano S, Pelecanos A, Steinke K. Repeat thermal ablation for local progression of lung tumours:
how safe and efficacious is it? Mini-invasive Surg 2018;2:26. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1225.2018.27

Received: 24 May 2018 First Decision: 3 Jul 2018 Revised: 19 Jul 2018 Accepted: 2 Aug 2018 Published: 28 Aug 2018

Science Editor: Noriyoshi Sawabata Copy Editor: Yuan-Li Wang Production Editor: Huan-Liang Wu

Abstract
Aim: To retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeat thermal ablation for local progression of lung tumours
after prior ablation(s).

Methods: From December 2009 to March 2017, 13 patients underwent repeat ablation [11 repeat microwave ablations
and 2 repeat radiofrequency ablations] of a lung tumour [9 non-small cell lung carcinomas, 3 metastatic colorectal
adenocarcinomas, 1 metastatic pelvic sarcoma] for local progression after prior ablation(s). Safety of the procedure was
assessed by presence or absence of adverse events. Efficacy of the procedure was assessed by local tumour response to
ablation and survival time.

Results: Repeat ablation procedures were safe, without major adverse events. Median length of hospital stay was 2 days
(interquartile range 1-2). Pneumothorax was the most common complication [5 (38%) of 13 repeat ablation procedures].
There was one death within 30 days of ablation, but the cause of death and its relation to the procedure were unknown.
Of the 12 patients with imaging follow-up [median follow-up 26 months (range 3-62)], 10 (83%) had complete ablation
and 2 (17%) had local progression. Of all 13 patients, 8 (62%) were alive and 5 (38%) had died with a median overall
survival of 43 months (95% confidence interval 36-49 months).

Conclusion: Repeat ablation in locally progressing tumours after prior ablation attempt(s) is a safe therapeutic option
and often achieves local tumour control.

Keywords: Local progression, lung tumours, microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, repeat ablation

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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