Percutaneous lung microwave ablation versus lung resection in high-risk patients. A monocentric experience.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF WORK Lung microwave ablation (MWA) is considered an alternative treatment in high-risk patients, not suitable for surgery. The aim of our study is to compare MWA and pulmonary lobectomy in high-risk, lung cancer patients. METHODS: This was a single-center, propensity score--weighted cohort study. All adult patients who underwent CT guided MWA for stage I NSCLC between June 2009-October 2014 were included in the study and were compared with a cohort of patients submitted to lung lobectomy in the same period of time. Outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: 32 patients underwent MWA, and 35 high-risk patients submitted to lung lobectomy in the same period were selected. Median follow-up time was 51.1 months (95% CI 43.8-62.3). Overall survival was 43.8 (95% CI 26.1-55) and 55.8 months (95% CI 49.9-76.8) in the MWA group and Lobectomy group, respectively. Negative prognostic factors were MWA procedure (HR2.25, 95% CI 1.20-4.21, p= 0.0109) and nodule diameter (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p= 0.007) for OS, while MWA procedure (HR 5.2; 95% CI 2.1-12.8 p < 0.001), ECOG 3 (HR 5.0; 95% CI 1.6-15.6; p = 0.006) and nodule diameter (HR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.1; p = 0.003) for DFS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a high percentage of local relapse in the MWA group but a comparable overall survival. Although lung lobectomy remains the gold standard treatment for stage I NSCLC, we can consider the MWA procedure as valid alternative local treatment in high-risk patients for stage I NSCLC.