Transbronchial vs Transthoracic Ablation for Early-stage Peripheral Lung Cancer

Transbronchial Versus Transthoracic Ablation for Early Stage Peripheral Lung Cancer: a Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of RFA through a transthoracic or transbronchial approach in the treatment of early-stage peripheral lung cancer.

This study is designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial with 110 participants, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to CT-guided RFA and bronchoscopy-guided RFA groups. The primary study endpoint is the complete ablation rate at 6 months post-ablation. Secondary study endpoints are technical success rate, complete ablation rate at 12 months post-ablation, local control rate at 1, 2, and 3 years post-ablation, progression free survival, overall survival, and safety. Demographic data, clinical baseline characteristics, CT follow-up data, and safety data will be collected and recorded.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age greater than 18 years.
2. Primary peripheral lung cancer diagnosed by pathology, and preoperative staging reveals clinical stage T1N0M0, stage IA.
3. The planned ablation lesions are assessed to be amenable to CT-guided and bronchoscopy-guided ablation.
4. Assessed as inoperable or refused surgery, agree to undergo initial ablation therapy, and sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with platelet < 50 × 10 9/L, severe bleeding tendency and coagulation dysfunction that cannot be corrected in a short period of time.
2. Patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.
3. Perilesional infection and radiation inflammation, puncture site skin infection is not well controlled, systemic infection, high fever > 38.5℃.
4. Patients with severe liver, kidney, heart, lung and brain dysfunction, severe anemia, dehydration and severe nutritional metabolism disorders that cannot be corrected or improved in a short period of time.
5. Patients with poorly controlled malignant pleural effusion.
6. Anticoagulation therapy and/or antiplatelet agents (except novel oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban) are discontinued for less than 5~7 days before ablation.
7. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score > 2.
8. Combined with other tumors with extensive metastasis, expected survival < 6 months.
9. Patients with episodic psychosis.
10. Patients with implantable electronic devices (such as pacemaker or defibrillator).
11. Pregnant women, or patients who have pregnancy plans during the study.
12. Participation or ongoing participation in another clinical study within the past 30 days.
13. Other situations that the investigator deems inappropriate to participate in this study.