Post by Deanne Jenkyns on Apr 4, 2007 19:34:00 GMT 1
Destroying tumours with radiowaves
This treatment is called 'percutaneous radiofrequency ablation' or RFA. Ablation means destroying. Percutaneous means 'through the skin'. The doctor puts a needle electrode through your skin and into the lung tumour. Usually, the doctor will use a CT scan to help guide the needle into the right place. Then radiowaves pass through the needle and heat the cancer cells until they are killed off. You can have this done under local or general anaesthetic. You can have it along with other types of treatment and it can be done more than once.
In July 2006, NICE (The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) approved this treatment for small, early lung cancers and other cancers that have spread to the lung. They say it works best for tumours that are 3cm across or less and there is evidence that it can reduce tumour bulk. They also say that your doctor must explain clearly to you what the treatment is likely to achieve and tell you what the complications are. The most common complication is air getting into the chest cavity (pneumothorax). NICE say that this is not a serious complication and doesn't usually need treating.
For primary lung cancers, your specialist is only likely to suggest this treatment if you cannot have surgery for other health reasons, or there is some other reason why you do not want to have an operation. It can also be used for cancers that have spread to the lung (secondary cancers), as long as there are only a few, small tumours.
This treatment is called 'percutaneous radiofrequency ablation' or RFA. Ablation means destroying. Percutaneous means 'through the skin'. The doctor puts a needle electrode through your skin and into the lung tumour. Usually, the doctor will use a CT scan to help guide the needle into the right place. Then radiowaves pass through the needle and heat the cancer cells until they are killed off. You can have this done under local or general anaesthetic. You can have it along with other types of treatment and it can be done more than once.
In July 2006, NICE (The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) approved this treatment for small, early lung cancers and other cancers that have spread to the lung. They say it works best for tumours that are 3cm across or less and there is evidence that it can reduce tumour bulk. They also say that your doctor must explain clearly to you what the treatment is likely to achieve and tell you what the complications are. The most common complication is air getting into the chest cavity (pneumothorax). NICE say that this is not a serious complication and doesn't usually need treating.
For primary lung cancers, your specialist is only likely to suggest this treatment if you cannot have surgery for other health reasons, or there is some other reason why you do not want to have an operation. It can also be used for cancers that have spread to the lung (secondary cancers), as long as there are only a few, small tumours.