OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical feasibility and complications of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a monopolar wet electrode for the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with a non-small cell lung malignancy underwent RFA under CT guidance. All the patients were non-surgical candidates, with mean maximum tumor diameters ranging from 3 to 6 cm (mean: 4.6 +/- 1.1 cm). A single 16-gauge open-perfused electrode with a 2 cm exposed tip was used for the procedure. A 0.9% NaCl saline solution was used as the perfusion liquid with the flow adjusted to 30 mL/h. The radiofrequency energy was applied for 10-40 minutes. The response to RFA was evaluated by performing contrast-enhanced CT immediately after RFA, one month after treatment and then every three months thereafter. RESULTS: Technical failure was observed in six (37.5%) of 16 patients: intractable pain (n = 2) and non-stop coughing (n = 4). The mean follow-up interval was 15 +/- 8 months (range: 9-31 months). The mean maximum ablated diameter in the technically successful group of patients ranged from 3.5 to 7.5 cm (mean 5.1 +/- 1.3 cm). Complete necrosis was attained for eight (80%) of 10 lesions, and partial necrosis was achieved for two lesions. There were two major complications (2/10, 20%) encountered: a hemothorax (n = 1) and a bronchopleural fistula (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Although RFA using a monopolar wet electrode can create a large ablation zone, it is associated with a high rate of technical failure when used to treat inoperable non-small cell lung malignancies.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/radiography/*surgery ; Catheter Ablation/adverse effects/*instrumentation ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Lung/pathology ; Lung Neoplasms/radiography/*surgery ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Erlotinib is accepted as a standard second-line chemotherapeutic agent in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who are refractory or resistant to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. There has been no previous report of bowel perforation with or without gastrointestinal metastases related to erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The exact mechanism of bowel perforation in patients who received erlotinib remains unclear. In this report, we report the first case of enterocutaneous fistula in a female patient with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer 9 months, following medication with erlotinib as second-line chemotherapy.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/complications/*drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*chemically induced/complications/radiography/surgery ; Intestinal Perforation/*chemically induced/complications/radiography/surgery ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Quinazolines/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Sigmoid Diseases/*chemically induced/complications/radiography/surgery