Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and is one of leading causes for death in both men and women. The field of interventional therapies is growing and these interventions are increasingly being used to treat lung cancer. Thermal Ablation is one of the latest techniques used for the treatment of lung cancer. Thermal ablation is the clinically advanced bioeffect of focused ultrasound. The damage to tissues can be controlled using a range of ultrasound transducers.
Thermal ablation involves inserting needles into the cancer to destroy cancer cells with heat. It is a technique of controlled, direct thermal destruction of cells and tissue. The technique of thermal ablation is minimally invasive and is suitable for real-time imaging guidance. It is a safe and technically feasible process for treatment of pulmonary malignancies.
The aim of the treatment is to enhance the disease-free survival and good quality of life. It is suited for medically inoperable, high-risk patients with early stage lung cancer. Thermal ablation is not painful but doctor may give you general anaesthetic to make one comfortable.
When to consider Thermal Ablation?
Thermal Ablation is generally used for lung cancer treatment at an early stage. It can be considered as a treatment method where:
- One is not a candidate for surgery
- One is having limited lung function
- Where tumors have spread to other parts of the body such as kidney, intestine etc
- As an adjunct to chemotherapy for treating one or more metastases
Risks Involved
- Shortness of breath
- Severe pain
- Skin infection
- Significant bleeding into the lungs
- Underlying lung disease may become worse
Each ablation takes about 10 to 30 minutes with additional time may be required in cases where multiple ablations are performed.
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