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

BACKGROUND: The 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. METHODS: From May 2011 to March 2015, 11 single‐lung patients (8 men and 3 women; mean age 60.3 years, 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 24 months after the procedure and annually thereafter. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and complications after MWA were summarized. RESULTS: At a median follow‐up period of 20 months (range 6–38), four patients showed evidence of local recurrence at a rate of 36.4% (4/11). Median overall survival was 20 months. The overall survival rates at one, two, and three years 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 30 days after MWA. CONCLUSION: CT‐guided percutaneous MWA is safe and effective for the treatment of peripheral NSCLC in patients with a single lung after prior pneumonectomy.