Study of Cryoablation for Metastatic Lung Tumors

Treatment for pulmonary metastatic disease may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments. However, several variables may exclude participants from these treatments such as multiple tumors, multiple previous surgeries, pulmonary dysfunction, or co-morbid medical conditions. For these participants, percutaneous cryoablation may be a suitable option. Ablation of metastatic lung tumors is a rapidly expanding area within interventional oncology. Cryotherapy, radiofrequency, laser, and microwave have all been shown to be effective. Cryotherapy offers a wide range of anatomic and tumor treatment options because of the ability to visualize the ice under imaging guidance and the preservation of collagenous tissue structure. Cryoablation has been extensively performed in the prostate and kidney with favorable outcomes reported in the literature. More recently, cryoablation has been shown to be safe in the treatment of lung tumors with CT guidance.