Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of ground-glass nodules like lung cancer ~ 5-year follow-up

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating radiologically noninvasive lung cancer (RNILC), defined as ground-glass nodules (GGNs) ≤20 mm in diameter with a consolidation-to-tumor ratio (CTR) ≤0.25. Methods: We investigated 24 consecutive patients (12 men and 12 women) with 30 pulmonary GGNs who presented as RNILC and underwent RFA from July 2011 to April 2016. Safety, feasibility, effectiveness, and survival were evaluated. Results: The mean nodule diameter was 9.5 ± 3.6 mm, with a mean CTR of 4.8% ±7.8%. The technical success rate was 100%, and no major complications were observed. The median follow-up period was 65.3 ± 8.2 months, with no nodules showing evidence of disease progression. The 5-year cancer-specific survival and local progression-free survival rates were both 100%. Furthermore, 5-year overall survival was 100.0%. Conclusion: RFA treatment for GGNs diagnosed as RNILC was safe and effective, with promising survival rates.