Lung Cancer: Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a set of minimally invasive techniques that is sometimes used to control non-small cell lung tumors. It is an option for some patients who are not good candidates for surgery or radiation therapy because of their health or because of the size or location of the tumor.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Cryoablation

Interventional radiologists at Memorial Sloan Kettering have developed treatments using a technique called image-guided tumor ablation that can be used against non-small cell lung cancer.

Under anesthesia, during a procedure called percutaneous ablation, we use CT imaging to guide the placement of a needle into the tumor. The needle then applies extreme temperatures to the tumor, destroying it. There are two types of percutaneous ablation.

Percutaneous ablation requires no incisions and is useful for patients whose tumors cannot be safely or effectively treated by surgery or radiation. Tumor ablation can also be used to destroy metastatic deposits in the bones that are causing pain.