Percutaneous pulmonary tumor ablation
Percutaneous destruction of a lung tumor using heat or cold, under CT guidance.
The information below is provided for general educational purposes only. It describes the procedure in general terms and may not apply to your specific situation. Only your interventional radiologist can provide you with personalized information adapted to your case.
What does this intervention involve?
Background and indications
Percutaneous lung ablation is offered for small lung tumors (primary or metastatic) in patients who cannot undergo surgery or who prefer a minimally invasive alternative. It generally targets tumors smaller than 3 cm.
Benefits
This procedure destroys the tumor without opening the chest, with rapid recovery and maximum preservation of healthy lung tissue. It can be repeated if new lesions appear.
Procedure
Under general anesthesia, the patient is positioned in a CT scanner. The radiologist inserts a needle through the chest wall into the tumor. Ablation is performed by radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation. The procedure lasts 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Risks
Pneumothorax (air between lung and chest wall) is the most common complication (20-30%), sometimes requiring a small drain. Intrapulmonary bleeding (hemoptysis) or pleural effusion may occur less frequently.
Recovery and follow-up
A 1-2 night hospital stay is typical. A chest X-ray is performed a few hours later to check for pneumothorax. Follow-up CT scan at 1 month then regularly.
Practical information
General anesthesia. Hospital stay: one to two nights.
This information does not replace a medical consultation. Each procedure is adapted to the patient's individual situation. Your doctor will explain the specific details, expected benefits and potential risks during your consultation.
Doctors and centers/departments performing this intervention
15 doctors
Dr Ignacio ANDRES CANO
Radiologue interventionnelRennaz
Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Quentin
Centre hospitalierSaint-Quentin
CHU Helora Site Jolimont
CHU (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire)La Louvière
Dr Frederic COHEN
Radiologue interventionnelAubagne, Marseille
Dr Alexia DABADIE
Radiologue interventionnelDr Arthur DAVID
Radiologue interventionnelNantes
Dr Vincent DUROUS
Radiologue interventionnelAnnecy, Argonay, Épagny
Dr Cédric FOUSSIER
Radiologue interventionnelParis
Hôpital Européen Marseille
Clinique privéeMarseille
Dr Quentin LAFERTÉ
Radiologue interventionnelSaint-Quentin
Dr Thibaud LEFORT
Radiologue interventionnelLyon
Dr Matthieu PAPILLARD
Radiologue interventionnelGenève