Ep. 38 Lung Ablation: Techniques, Challenges & Best Practices with Dr. Alan Lee, Dr. Scott Oh, and Dr. Rob Suh

Collaboration between interventional radiology and radiation oncology has enabled high-dose brachytherapy in central lung lesions that were previously untreatable. This episode of the 2025 NSCLC Creator Weekend™ series offers a deep dive into recent advancements in lung ablation and brachytherapy techniques for primary lung cancer.

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This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson and Varian.

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SYNPOSIS

Key discussion points include ablation zone sizes, confirmation methods for effective treatment, and the integration of different modalities such as microwave and cryoablation. Our tumor board panel also explores the practical and logistic challenges of implementing high-dose brachytherapy, especially for central lesions, and its role in palliative care. Despite the intricate processes and potential complications like pneumothorax, these methods show promising local control rates and provide crucial options for non-operative candidates.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Lung Ablation
07:01 - Microwave Ablation and Ground Glass Attenuation
17:53 - Artificial Pneumothorax Techniques
27:09 - Technical Aspects and Innovations
32:35 - Bronchial Brachytherapy Techniques
37:47 - Conclusion and Credits

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RESOURCES

2021 Central Lesion Study
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8186067/