Prevention of needle-tract seeding by two-step freezing after lung cancer biopsy

Pathol Oncol Res. 2013 Jul;19(3):447-50. doi: 10.1007/s12253-012-9601-1. Epub 2013 Jan 30.

Abstract

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a method to detect malignancy for undetermined pulmonary nodules, but has the potential to spread malignant cells from the tumor to the pleural cavity or chest wall. We developed a two-step freezing method to avoid needle-tract seeding, by use of percutaneous cryoablation after biopsy but before the biopsy needle was removed. A man aged 72 years was admitted because of a large mass in right upper lobe. After biopsy, the patient underwent surgery. Pathological assessment of the resected tumor showed that tissue around the biopsy probe and cryoprobe had been killed before needle withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
  • Cryosurgery / methods*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control