Research In Brief
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Lung tumor ablation: Radiofrequency ablation, a common treatment for small liver tumors, is also a promising treatment strategy for patients with malignant lung tumors, researchers report in The Lancet Oncology (published by Elsevier, which also publishes "The Gray Sheet") June 18. A trial of 106 lung-tumor patients unsuitable for surgery, radiation or chemotherapy led by Riccardo Lencioni, University of Pisa, found that ablation is generally safe, with no procedure-related deaths. Of the 85 patients followed at least one year, 88% showed a complete response for the targeted tumors. A randomized trial is now warranted to compare ablation to standard treatment options, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the researchers say. AngioDynamics, which makes the 1500X RF/StarBurst ablation system used in the study and is seeking a lung tumor indication for the device, funded the research
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