Radiofrequency ablation of pulmonary tumors near the diaphragm

Purpose To retrospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung tumors located near the diaphragm. Materials and methods A total of 26 patients (15 men, 11 women; mean age, 61.5 years ± 13.0 [SD]) with a total of 29 lung tumors near the diaphragm (i.e., distance < 10 mm) were included. Mean tumor diameter was 11.0 mm ± 5.3 (SD) (range, 2–23 mm). Efficacy of RFA, number of adverse events and number of adverse events with a grade ≥ 3, based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0, were compared between patients with lung tumors near the diaphragm and a control group of patients with more distally located lung tumors (i.e., distance ≥ 10 mm). Results RFA was technically feasible for all tumors near the diaphragm. Four grade 3 adverse events (1 pneumothorax requiring pleurodesis and 3 phrenic nerve injuries) were observed. No grade ≥ 4 adverse events were reported. The median follow-up period for tumors near the diaphragm was 18.3 months. Local progression was observed 3.3 months after RFA in 1 tumor. The technique efficacy rates were 96.2% at 1 year and 96.2% at 2 years and were not different, from those observed in control subjects (186 tumors; P = 0.839). Shoulder pain (P < 0.001) and grade 1 pleural effusion (P < 0.001) were more frequently observed in patients with lung tumor near the diaphragm. The rates of grade ≥ 3 adverse events did not significantly differ between tumors near the diaphragm (4/26 sessions) and the controls (7/133 sessions) (P = 0.083). Conclusion RFA is a feasible and effective therapeutic option for lung tumors located near the diaphragm. However, it conveys a higher rate of shoulder pain and asymptomatic pleural effusion by comparison with more distant lung tumors.