Feasibility study on the treatment of small breast carcinoma using percutaneous US-guided preferential radiofrequency ablation (PRFA)

Received 21 September 2009; received in revised form 29 December 2009; accepted 22 January 2010. published online 18 February 2010.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound (US) guided preferential radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) of unifocal human invasive breast carcinoma with largest radiological diameters of up to 16 mm. Thirty-three patients were enrolled in a study to be treated prior to scheduled partial mastectomy. A needle-shaped treatment electrode, successively developed in two different sizes, was placed into the center of the lesions using ultrasound guidance. A temperature of 85 °C was maintained for 10 min. The analysis of the resected specimen was performed using conventional histopathological methods with the aim to determine the size of the lesion as well as the potential viability of tumor cells. Of the 33 patients enrolled 31 were treated. In 26 (84%) patients a complete ablation of the tumor was achieved. Ultrasound guided preferential radiofrequency ablation of small breast carcinoma is feasible and patient friendly. The success rate depends on accurate preoperative diagnostic imaging as well as an exact position of the needle electrode.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Preferential radiofrequency ablation, Breast-conserving surgery, Breast carcinoma, Minimally-invasive treatment

a Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna (L1:00), 17176 Stockholm, Sweden

b Department of Surgery, Capio S:t Görans Hospital, 11281 Stockholm, Sweden

c Department of Radiology, Danderyds Sjukhus, 18288 Stockholm, Sweden

d Department of Mammography, Unilabs AB, Capio S:t Görans Hospital, 11281 Stockholm, Sweden

e Department of Pathology, Unilabs AB, Capio S:t Görans Hospital, 11281 Stockholm, Sweden

f Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden

g Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Administration, Building Z1:00, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden

h Department of Surgery, Danderyds Sjukhus, 18288 Stockholm, Sweden

i Breast Unit Sabbatsberg's Hospital, Olivecronas väg 1, 11324 Stockholm, Sweden

j Department of Radiology, Medicinsk Röntgen, Indalsbacken 17, 162 68 Vällingby, Sweden

k Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 16, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden

l Karolinska Biomic Centre, Karolinska Institutet, Z5:02 Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden

m Department of Pathology, Karolinska Universitetslaboratoriet, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyds Sjukhus, 18288 Stockholm, Sweden

Corresponding author at: Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box: 39011, 10054 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel.: +46 (0) 8 664 40 30; fax: +46 (0) 8 664 51 60.

PII: S0960-9776(10)00033-0

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2010.01.016

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