Investigation of the efficacy and safety of lung biopsy plus microwave ablation for a solitary suspected malignant pulmonary nodule after radical mastectomy

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-guided lung biopsy combined with microwave ablation (MWA) for solitary suspected malignant pulmonary nodules in post-radical surgery breast cancer patients. Materials and methods This retrospective study included 37 post-radical surgery breast cancer patients with solitary suspected malignant pulmonary nodules, treated with CT-guided lung biopsy and MWA between January 2014 and December 2018. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Clinical outcomes and complications were analyzed. Results Pathological results identified primary lung cancer in 5 patients (13.5%, 5/37) and metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma (breast origin) in 30 patients (81.1%, 30/37). Major complications included pneumothorax (n=8, 21.6%), chest pain (n=6, 16.2%), and hemoptysis (n=4, 10.8%). For metastatic cases, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 86.2%, 58.3%, and 35.3%, respectively. The median progression-free survival after MWA was 35 months (range: 4–72; 95% CI: 24.53–46.48), and median overall survival was 44 months (95% CI: 32.55–55.45). Conclusion CT-guided lung biopsy combined with MWA is a safe and effective approach for managing solitary suspected malignant pulmonary nodules in post-radical surgery breast cancer patients.