Is lung radiofrequency ablation a complete treatment?

Lung cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate. In recent years, the incidence of lung cancer has been increasing. Most people rarely pay attention to their health. When they find out that they are sick, it is already in the late stage of lung cancer and the best time for treatment has been missed. Although it is lung cancer, if it is treated with regular professional treatment, it can usually prolong life. Is lung radiofrequency ablation treatment thorough?

Is pulmonary radiofrequency ablation a complete treatment?

Patients with advanced lung cancer can undergo radiofrequency ablation, but it can only prolong the patient's life and cannot cure it.

Many lung cancer patients have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, only coughing and sputum production, which can easily be ignored. Almost 70% of lung cancer patients are already in the advanced stage (stage III or IV) when they seek medical treatment, and have lost the chance of surgical cure.

What is radiofrequency ablation?

Radiofrequency ablation forms a current loop through an electrode needle inserted into the tumor tissue and an electrode plate attached to the patient's body surface. After the radiofrequency generator is turned on, the high-frequency alternating current at the tip of the electrode is injected into the target tissue (Figure 2A), causing the ions in the tissue to oscillate, which in turn generates heat through friction, causing the cells in the target tissue around the electrode to die and undergo coagulation necrosis (Figure 2B). At the same time, the vascular tissue around the tumor coagulates to form a reaction zone, which prevents it from continuing to supply blood to the tumor and prevents tumor metastasis. Radiofrequency waves can also coagulate local blood vessels in the tumor and reduce blood supply. At the same time, the ablated tumor tissue remains in the body. Due to the changes in its composition and structure, it can stimulate the body's immunity and produce anti-tumor cytotoxic antibodies and induce cytotoxic T cell immunity.

Radiofrequency ablation indications:

①Primary or metastatic lung cancer without surgical indications;

② Request for minimally invasive treatment or refuse surgery;

③ Poor lung function or other systemic diseases, unable to tolerate surgery;

④Tumor recurrence after surgery;

⑤Tumor progression after chemoradiotherapy;

⑥Remedial surgical exploration;

⑦ Comprehensive tumor reduction treatment;

⑧Palliative treatment relieves symptoms.

Contraindications of radiofrequency ablation:

① Coagulation disorder;

② Severe failure of important organ functions;

③ Lung cancer metastasizes to the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, and the vertebral bodies are severely damaged, with the risk of paraplegia;

④ Diffuse metastatic lesions in the lungs;

⑤ The treatment effect is poor for patients with severe emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, obstructive pneumonia, malignant pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, and tumors invading the hilum of the lung or large blood vessels.

Perioperative care of radiofrequency ablation:

① Preoperative care. Assess the patient's general condition and complete relevant examinations. Since most patients and their families do not understand RFA and have doubts and fears about the treatment process and effects, preoperative education and psychological care of RFA are particularly important.

②Intraoperative care. The patient lies flat or prone on the examination bed according to the location of the lesion, and the puncture site is disinfected according to routine surgical procedures to assist the physician in puncture under CT guidance. During the treatment, nursing staff will stay by the patient's side and guide the patient to cooperate.

③Postoperative care. After returning to the ward after the operation, ask the patient to lie flat for 2 to 4 hours and observe consciousness, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, blood oxygen saturation, etc. Diet and nutrition. Instruct patients to eat a nutritious and easily digestible diet and eat small and frequent meals.