The first thermoablation procedure for primary lung cancer in Poland

On June 3, the first thermoablation procedure for primary lung cancer in Poland was performed at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw, interventional radiologist Grzegorz Rosiak, who specializes in this type of minimally invasive procedures, told PAP.

So far, this modern and minimally invasive method has been used only in the treatment of cancer metastases to the lungs. "This procedure is a breakthrough in national interventional radiology and opens up new therapeutic possibilities for patients who do not qualify for surgery or radiotherapy," assessed Dr. Rosiak. He noted that the patient who underwent thermal ablation could not be operated on in a traditional way due to advanced respiratory failure.

Thermoablation involves inserting a needle into the tumor and heating it to a high temperature using microwaves, which leads to the destruction of the neoplastic lesion. The procedure is performed percutaneously, under the control of computed tomography, without the need for surgical opening of the chest.

As the interventional radiologist explained, the tumor that was ablated had a diameter of 18 mm. It was therefore possible to remove it using this method. Microwave thermal ablation is a method intended only for treating very small tumors, no larger than 2-3 cm in diameter. "It should also be emphasized that the tumor must be in an early stage, without metastases," he added.

Minimally invasive procedures using interventional radiology have been performed all over the world for many years. In Poland, they are increasingly appreciated and used. Based on the regulation of the Minister of Health, from January 1, 2025, this procedure is reimbursed by the National Health Fund as a guaranteed benefit in hospital treatment. "This is a huge progress in the availability of minimally invasive treatment methods for Polish patients," says Dr. Rosiak.

The innovative procedure at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw was performed by interventional radiologists: Grzegorz Rosiak, Dariusz Konecki and Jacek Wakuliński. The team also included: coordinating nurse Beata Lichtblau, electroradiologist Justyna Hyska, anaesthesiologist Jacek Prokopowicz and anaesthesiological nurses Milena Kowalczyk and Anna Modzelewska.

The patient who underwent the minimally invasive procedure is under the care of a thoracic surgeon, and his attending physician is Krzysztof Karuś from the Department of Surgery led by prof. Tadeusz Orłowski. The procedure was performed in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Diagnostics, headed by dr. Katarzyna Błasińska. The patient's condition after the procedure is good, he will probably be discharged home on Thursday.

The patient was qualified as a candidate for thermoablation by Dr. Mateusz Polaczek, Head of the 3rd Clinic of Lung Diseases and Oncology, and referred to the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic path.

Zbigniew Wojtasinski (PAP)

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