Lung nodule Ablation. What is this?

Hello dgulovsen- I did not have radiation, I had a segmentectomy. Left upper lobe. My nodule grew from 8mm to about 22 mm in 9 years. I was VERY lucky it was very slow growing because I didn’t know it was there. (Long story about that!). When I went to Mayo I said I wanted the pinpoint radiation. They said the nodule was too small for that and to get it all surgery was the best option. They take some lymph nodes along with the section of cancer and a little larger area to get any cells that may have traveled.
My Aunt who was 78 at the time of her findings, (left lower lobe) had the “Cyberknife” pin point radiation and it seemed to have killed her cancer. She could not have surgery because of a heart issue, so that was her only option. With either one you will get scar tissue. Radiation seems to be “easier” but there are still risks. You want to do the best option for getting rid of ALL the cancer. I had the VATS surgery done at Mayo in Phoenix and I am so very happy I listened to the thoracic surgeon. I am 2 years clear now and very active. I am 61 as of yesterday! The best advice I can give is to talk to the surgeon and the radiation oncologist. Between the 3 of you, you will be able to come up with the best way for you to get the treatment you want and need. Good Luck and God Bless you!🙏

Hi @dgulovsen—great question. “Ablation” is a minimally invasive way to destroy a small tumor when surgery isn’t the best option. A radiologist places a thin probe into the spot under CT or ultrasound guidance and then either heats the area (radiofrequency or microwave ablation) or freezes it (cryoablation) to kill the cancer cells.

It’s commonly used when lesions are small and in locations where focused treatment is feasible. Your care team will consider the size and location to decide if ablation is a good fit.

In answer to your question, "Does it get everything?" The short answer is the same as radiation: often, but not always. Like radiation, they'll target what's there and a small surrounding volume of tissue.

MD Anderson has a general page about ablation: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-is-ablation-therapy-used-to-treat-cancer.h00-159623379.html
Full disclosure, in the 5 years since my lung cancer metastasized to my brain, I've gone to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Also, one of their doctors, a world-renowned expert on EGFR+ mutations, is currently on my care team along with my local doctors. Best of luck to you!

I had a 2.6 cm lung tumor destroyed with microwave ablation. 2 probes thru my back. Face down on CT table for 2 hours because I had to go in CT repeatedly to adjust placement of the probes till just right then maybe 15-20 min for the actual ablation. Didn’t really hurt. Was successful with complete destruction 4.5 years ago. I need two more ablations now from tumors blocking airways. 50+ nodules scattered thru both lungs. Very slow growing neuroendocrine cancer with low risk of metastasis. Worked great for me. I might be more concerned if I had something like NSCLC that is more aggressive. My non-smoking brother had that and his cancer journey was all about metastasis and nothing like my very long term but easier journey. Praying they destroy whatever it is you have.