A recent study published in BMC Cancer reports on the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for local treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) lung metastases in combination with systemic treatments.

The researchers treated 100 lung metastases in 53 patients with RFA. Median follow-up time was 61 months and 5-year overall survival was 62%. Median disease-free survival was 9.9 months. Thirteen patients (25%) with lung recurrence could be treated again by another RFA. T3/T4 tumours had significantly worse outcomes and having two or more lung metastases increased the risk of progression of the cancer in the lungs more than threefold.

In conclusion, the researchers found that RFA in combination with systemic treatment is safe and effective for the treatment of RCC lung metastases with good overall survival and long systemic treatment-free survival. RFA offers the possibility of repeat procedures, with low morbidity.

Read more in BMC Cancer here