Percutaneous Outpatient Cryoablation for Localized Recurrent Pleural Mesothelioma Following Lung-sparing Pleurectomy and Decortication Surgery

As presented by Dr. Robert Cameron at the 11^th International Conference of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) 

Boston, MA – September 11-14, 2012

Recurrence for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma is extremely high following surgery, most patients are ineligible for repeat surgery and management of mesothelioma is among the most challenging of cancer therapies. Many of our clients have experienced good results with post-surgery cryoblation therapy. (including Martha Munoz, Patricia Crawford and Sylvia Ramirez) 

Cryoablation for localized recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma following surgery can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which uses a needle to target argon gas directly to the tumor killing the cells it touches in a relatively safe and quick manner. It can be performed on multiple lesions at a time and is also a safe and relatively quick method to control pain and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Doctors at UCLA have published a promising study with the International Mesothelioma Interest Group which identifies 24 UCLA patients who have received one or more cryoablation treatments for localized recurrence of malignant pleural mesothelioma following surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. The patients in the study were found to have a minimal morbidity rate of 5.6%, a very high efficacy rate of 95.3%, and an impressive overall survival rate of 36.1 months.

Currently only a handful of centers specialize in the use of cryoablation in the management of mesothelioma, most notably diagnostic radiologists, Dr. Fereidoun Abtin and Dr. Robert Suh at UCLA.