The Role of Percutaneous Image-Guided Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Pulmonary Malignancies

OBJECTIVE. Image-guided thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with primary and secondary pulmonary malignancies. Modalities include radio-frequency ablation, microwave ablation, and cryoablation. CONCLUSION. Although no large randomized studies exist comparing ablation to surgery or radiotherapy, numerous studies have reported safety and efficacy for the treatment of both primary and metastatic disease in select patients. Future studies will refine patient selection, procedural technique, and assessment for local recurrence and will evaluate long-term survival.