Clinical effect of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for residual lung metastases from breast cancer after systemic chemotherapy

ABSTRACT

To determine the clinical effect of Radiofrequency Ablation [RFA] for residual lung metastases from breast cancer after systemic chemotherapy. An experimental study. The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China, from January 2008 to October 2014. Thirty-five breast cancer patients with 67 pulmonary metastases were involved in this study. All lesions were treated by RFA and followed by CT-scan. Primary endpoint of this clinical study was local control; secondary endpoints were overall survival and treatment-related toxicities. Complete Response [CR] was observed in 59 lesions, with Partial Response [PR] in 4 lesions, Stable Disease [SD] in 1 lesion and Progression Disease [PD] in 3 lesions. The lesion diameter > 2 cm was related to poor local control [p=0.04]. The median Overall Survival [OS] was 33 months [95%CI 21.6 - 44.4]. One-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 88.6%, 59.3% and 42.8% respectively. The mumber of pulmonary metastases [>/= 2], the diameter of lesion [> 2 cm] and coexisting with liver metastases were significantly correlated to poor OS by multivariate analysis. Log-rank test showed statistically significant difference of OS in diameter of lesion and coexisting with other metastases. RFA is a promising treatment option for patients with residual lung metastases from breast cancer after systemic chemotherapy in selected patients