Ablation of pulmonary neoplasms: review of literature and future perspectives

Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive technology used to treat many types of tumors, including lung cancer. Specifically, lung ablation has been increasingly performed for unsurgical fit patients with both early-stage primi- tive lung cancer and pulmonary metastases. Image-guided available techniques include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, laser ablation and irreversible electroporation. Aim of this review is to illustrate the major thermal ablation modalities, their indications and contraindications, complications, outcomes and notably the possible future challenges.