RF for adrenal mets

[john]

Adrenal neoplasms: CT-guided radiofrequency ablation--preliminary results.

Mayo-Smith WW, Dupuy DE.

Department of Radiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown Medical School, 593 Eddy St, Providence, RI 02903, USA. wmayo-smith@lifespan.org

PURPOSE: To evaluate initial experience with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of adrenal neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen adrenal masses in 12 patients (bilateral metastases in one patient) were treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous RF ablation. Eleven adrenal lesions were metastases (five from lung cancer, four from renal cell carcinoma, and two from melanoma); one lesion was a pheochromocytoma and one was an aldosteronoma. There were 10 men and two women (average age, 58 years; range, 40-77 years) in the study; average adrenal mass diameter was 3.9 cm (range, 1-8 cm). Average number of RF applications per adrenal mass was 2.7 (range, 1-5 applications); average time per application was 7.8 minutes (range, 4-13 minutes). An internally cooled single electrode was used in five sessions; an internally cooled cluster electrode was used in eight sessions. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 11.2 months (range, 1-46 months). Eleven of 13 lesions were treated successfully with RF ablation after one session. Successful treatment was defined as lack of enhancement of the treated region on follow-up CT images and resolution of the biochemical abnormality in two patients. In two patients with large adrenal lesions (4 and 8 cm in diameter), enhancement of residual tissue was observed after one treatment session; this finding was indicative of residual tumor. One patient with thrombocytopenia that resulted from chemotherapy had a small hematoma, but no transfusion was required. No patient developed hypertension during the RF application. No patient with metastases had recurrent tumor at the treated site, and this lack of recurrence indicated effective local control; 11 patients had progression of metastatic disease at extraadrenal sites. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data suggest that CT-guided RF ablation is an effective technique for local control of adrenal neoplasms. Copyright RSNA, 2004

Publication Types:

Evaluation Studies

PMID: 14990812 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[RAY A]

John,

Since I read your first post about RFA I started dong research on this treatment and was very encouraged on what I have read so far. I have a mass in one of my adrenal glands. Talked to my onoc and he was supportive of this treatment. I go every week to get chemo and every week I talk to him about it and tell him this is something I want to do. He is supportive of this but wants me to finish the chemo I'm on first. It sounds like a very successful treatment and I got to wonder why we don’t here more of it. Here is a link that really opened my eyes you may have already seen it. The real encouraging part is at the end.

http://www.cancerlynx.com/rfanew.html

[john]

Yes I have read that reducing "tumor burden" or debulking may help. Unfortunately, it seems like most doctors scoff and this idea

Good luck and I hope you can get the treatment