2024 multidisciplinary consensus on image-guided lung tumor ablation from the Taiwan Academy of Tumor Ablation.

Abstract

In this article, the multidisciplinary team of the Taiwan Academy of Tumor Ablation, who have expertise in treating lung cancer, present their perspectives on percutaneous image-guided thermal ablation (IGTA) of lung tumors. The modified Delphi technique was applied to reach a consensus on clinical practice guidelines concerning ablation procedures, including a comprehensive literature review, selection of panelists, creation of a rating form and survey, and arrangement of an in-person meeting where panelists agreed or disagreed on various points. The conclusion was a final rating and written summary of the agreement. The multidisciplinary expert team agreed on 10 recommendations for the use of IGTA in the lungs. These recommendations include terms and definitions, line of treatment planning, modality, facility rooms, patient anesthesia settings, indications, margin determination, post-ablation image surveillance, qualified centers, and complication ranges. In summary, IGTA is a safe and feasible approach for treating primary and metastatic lung tumors, with a relatively low complication rate. However, decisions regarding the ablation technique should consider each patient's specific tumor characteristics.