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Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of tumor-related death, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for about 85% of cases. Most patients are diagnosed in the middle or late stages, and 60 to 80% have already lost the chance of surgery by the time of diagnosis. In recent years, minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) technology has emerged as a significant treatment option for primary and secondary lung tumors, earning recognition as a breakthrough approach in lung cancer care.
Radiofrequency ablation works by inserting an electrode needle into the tumor tissue, forming a current loop with an electrode plate attached to the patient's body. After the RF generator is activated, high-frequency alternating current causes ions in the tissue to vibrate, generating friction and heat that leads to cell death and coagulation necrosis in the target tissue around the electrode. At the same time, vascular tissue around the tumor coagulates to cut off blood supply and prevent metastasis. The ablated tumor tissue remaining in the body also stimulates the immune system to produce anti-tumor cytotoxic antibodies and induce cytotoxic T cell immunity.
RFA is applicable across several lung cancer scenarios. For non-small cell lung cancer patients who cannot tolerate surgery, tumors with a diameter of 2 cm or less achieve complete ablation in 78–96% of cases, and tumors of 3 cm or less show a five-year survival rate exceeding 50%. For lung metastases with a diameter of 2–3 cm, patients receiving RFA show a three-year survival rate of 53.7% and a four-year survival rate of 44.1%.
RFA is also used for advanced NSCLC patients who have developed local resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as gefitinib or erlotinib, serving as both a palliative and an alternative resistance-overcoming strategy. When combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for metastatic liver and lung tumors, the combined approach makes up for the deficiencies of each individual method and extends patient survival while improving quality of life. Finally, RFA can be used for palliative treatment in advanced lung cancer patients to relieve discomfort symptoms — including severe pain — significantly improving day-to-day wellbeing even in the most advanced cases.
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About Sai Sree
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This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified oncology specialist. Every patient's case is different. Treatment decisions should always be made after a review of complete medical records by the treating medical team.
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