Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the technique, safety, efficacy, and clinical value of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous coaxial biopsy combined with microwave ablation (MWA) therapy for pulmonary tumors.
Materials and methods: CT-guided percutaneous coaxial biopsy combined with MWA was performed on 27 tumors in 23 patients who received treatment at our hospital from August 2014 to November 2017. The patients were followed up from 2 to 42 months. The outcomes were evaluated with plain and contrast spiral CT scans.
Results: After treatment, lower density and lower CT values than baseline values were observed in the ablated area. The positive rate of biopsy was 81.48%. Seventeen patients had complete remission, four had partial remission, and two had progressive disease, with an effective rate of 91.3%. Until February 2018, 14 patients survived. Seven patients with metastatic lung cancer died of primary tumor progression. Two patients with primary lung cancer also died; one died of a lung infection and the other of cerebral hemorrhage. The 1-year local control rate was 88.9%, and the median progression-free survival was 33 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 91.3%, 69.6%, and 60.9%, respectively.
Conclusion: CT-guided percutaneous coaxial biopsy combined with MWA can improve the quality of life of patients, prolong survival, and improve the survival rate. It is currently one of the most promising interventional treatments.
Keywords: Coaxial biopsy; computed tomography-guided; microwave ablation; pulmonary tumor.