The following sections describe efficacy and safety outcomes from the published literature that the Committee considered as part of the evidence about this procedure. For more detailed information on the evidence, see the overview.
A case series of 100 patients with inoperable colorectal lung metastases reported median overall survival and overall 5-year survival after RFA treatment of 36 months and 30% respectively. A systematic review of 46 studies including a total of 1,584 patients reported a mean overall survival rate of 59% over a mean follow-up period of 18 months.
Another case series of 100 patients reported median overall survival of 27 months for patients with primary lung cancer, 33 months for patients with recurrent lung cancer and 18 months for patients with metastatic disease.
A case series of 153 patients reported that the median time to progression (assessed by follow-up CT scans and also positron-emission tomography scans in selected patients) for tumours of 3 cm or smaller was 45 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year local tumour progression-free rates of 83%, 57% and 47% respectively. Median time to progression for larger tumours was 12 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year progression-free rates of 45%, 25% and 25% respectively. A case series of 78 patients with colorectal lung metastases reported 1-, 3- and 5-year overall progression rates (assessed by CT) of 10%, 21% and 21% respectively.
In a case series of 106 patients, there was no significant difference between quality of life at baseline and at 12 months after RFA, using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Lung and Short-Form 12 questionnaires.
The Specialist Advisers listed key efficacy outcomes as symptomatic improvement, quality of life, local tumour control, progression-free survival, overall survival, respiratory morbidity and the need for repeat interventions.
Four procedure-related deaths within 30 days were reported in the case series of 153 patients, 2 of which were in single-lung patients. The causes of death were haemorrhage into the pleural space; exacerbation of underlying pulmonary fibrosis; congestive heart failure; and respiratory arrest while undergoing conscious sedation. Two deaths were reported in a case series of 137 patients: 1 from intractable pneumothorax and pneumonia at 53 days, the other from massive haemoptysis 28 days after RFA. Two deaths resulting from interstitial pneumonia were reported in a case series of 130 patients (timing of events not stated). One case series of 100 patients reported no treatment-related mortality.
Pneumothorax requiring chest tube insertion was reported in less than 10% of patients in 4 centres and in 10% to 30% of patients in 3 centres in a case series of 493 RFA procedures performed. In 5 further case series, rates of pneumothorax requiring chest tube drainage ranged from 10% (18 out of 183) to 20% (27 out of 137).
Pleural effusion requiring drainage was reported in less than 10% of patients in 6 centres and more than 30% in 1 centre in the case series of 493 RFA procedures. In 3 further case series, rates of pleural effusion requiring drainage were 2% (4 out of 211), 3% (4 out of 137) and 3% (3 out of 100).
The Specialist Advisers considered theoretical adverse events to include abscess, infection, pulmonary embolism, pain, damage to other intrathoracic structures, post-procedure mortality and death from interstitial pneumonitis.