https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33730740/
Case Series
Reference: Steinfort DP, Christie M, Antippa P, et al. Bronchoscopic thermal vapour ablation for localized cancer lesions of the lung: a clinical feasibility treat-and-resect study. Respiration. 2021;100(5):432-442.
Summary: Preclinical studies of bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation (BTVA) suggest a potential role in the management of lung cancer. This is a prospective, single-arm feasibility study on the use of BTVA for lung cancer. Six patients with peripheral lung tumors planned to undergo lobectomy
Tumors were all subsolid with the median solid component measuring 13.2 mm. Six patients were treated with BTVA but only five completed lobectomies. Lobectomy could not be completed in one patient due to intolerance of single-lung ventilation related to contralateral radiation fibrosis from prior NSCLC treatment.
Large uniform ablation zones were seen in four patients where thermal dose exceeded 3 Cal/mL. Tumors within ablation zones demonstrated necrosis in >99% of the cross-sectional area examined. One tumor demonstrated 100% necrosis while a second was 98% necrotic.
Two patients experienced post-procedure pleuritic chest pain that was self-limited. No major procedure-related complications were noted.
BTVA of lung tumors is feasible and well-tolerated based on results from this small study. There appeared to be good treatment effect in areas ablated with sufficient thermal dose. However, additional studies are needed to refine treatment parameters and demonstrate further efficacy and safety.
