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

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.