Abstract
Introduction
RFA is an increasingly popular treatment choice for non-operable lung tumours. Our aim was to evaluate changes in lung function after RFA in patients with COPD and primary lung cancer.
Method
This study looked at the first 20 consecutive lung cancer patients with COPD treated in our institution. All patients were approved by tumour board for RFA treatment.
Mean patient age was 74 years (range: 55-83). Male to female ratio 8:12.
The parameters that were used for statistical analysis were FEV1 and FVC.
Results
All patients had biopsy proven primary lung cancer (histology: 11 squamous, 5 adenocarcinomas and 5 mixed NSCLC subtypes - staging: 11 T1, 3 T2, 6 T4).
Spirometry was performed 1-4 months before treatment. The mean follow up spirometry was 14 months (range 10-36 months).
The mean (+SD) FEV1 pre and post ablation was 1.27 L (+0.38) and 1.16 L (+0.36). The mean FVC (+SD) pre and post ablation was 2.45 L (+0.86) and 2.15 L (+0.65).
Conclusion
There was a small decrease of the pulmonary function on medium / long term follow up (10+ months). This does not take into account acute clinical symptoms (including infection or exacerbation of COPD) at the time of lung function testing. In addition a proportion of the decline may have been secondary to the natural history of patients underlying COPD. These results are comparable to the stereotactic radiotherapy and other post-ablation reports.
RFA of primary lung cancer offers relative preservation of the lung function.
- © 2014 ERS
