Microwave ablation for lung cancer patients with a single lung: Clinical evaluation of 11 cases.

BackgroundThe study was conducted to retrospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for peripheral non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 11 patients with a single lung after pneumonectomy. MethodsFrom May 2011 to March 2015, 11 single-lung patients (8 men and 3 women; mean age 60.3years, range 46-71) with peripheral NSCLC underwent 12 sessions of MWA. Eleven tumors measuring 13-52 mm (mean 30.2 mm) were treated. Follow-up was performed via CT scan at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24months after the procedure and annually thereafter. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and complications after MWA were summarized. ResultsAt a median follow-up period of 20months (range 6-38), four patients showed evidence of local recurrence at a rate of 36.4% (4/11). Median overall survival was 20months. The overall survival rates at one, two, and threeyears after MWA were 88.7%, 63.6%, and 42.3%, respectively. Complications after MWA included pneumothorax (33.3%), hemoptysis (33.3%), intrapulmonary bleeding (25%), pleural effusion (16.7%), and pulmonary infection (8.3%). None of the patients died during the procedure or in the 30days after MWA. ConclusionCT-guided percutaneous MWA is safe and effective for the treatment of peripheral NSCLC in patients with a single lung after prior pneumonectomy.