RATIONALE: Radiofrequency ablation uses high-frequency electric current to kill tumor cells. Combining radiofrequency ablation with surgery may kill more tumor cells.

PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining radiofrequency ablation with surgery in treating patients who have stage I or stage II non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the acute effects of intraoperative radiofrequency tumor ablation (RFA) in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
• Determine the treatment-related toxicity in patients treated with this therapy.
• Determine the dimensions of the RFA lesion produced by the ablation procedure in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo intraoperative radiofrequency tumor ablation over 10-15 minutes for each tumor immediately followed by tumor resection.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A maximum of 20 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of malignant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

  • Intraoperative needle biopsy confirmation allowed

• Resectable disease (stage I or II)

• All tissue to be treated by radiofrequency tumor ablation must be completely contained within boundaries of planned lung resection

• Medically fit to undergo lung resection

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Over 18

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior or concurrent biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

• No prior or concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No prior or concurrent endocrine therapy

Radiotherapy:

• No prior or concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics

Other:

• No other prior therapy for NSCLC