What is percutaneous tumour ablation?
This involves destroying a lung tumour by heat (radiofrequency) or by cold (cryoablation), percutaneously under CT guidance, without open chest surgery.
Why choose this technique?
- Targeted local treatment of primary lung tumours or lung metastases
- An alternative to surgery in patients who are inoperable or at high anaesthetic risk
- Preserves as much healthy lung tissue as possible
- A biopsy can be performed at the same time as the procedure if needed
Who is this method for?
All indications are confirmed at a multidisciplinary team meeting (respiratory medicine, oncology, thoracic surgery, etc.).
- Single or a limited number of lung tumours, usually small
- Adequate respiratory function
- Patients who are not candidates for surgery or in addition to other cancer treatments
How does it work?
Admission to respiratory medicine — dedicated pathway:
- Admission in the morning (day 0) to the respiratory medicine department
- The ablation procedure is performed in the morning or afternoon under CT guidance
- One night in respiratory medicine: clinical monitoring, routine follow-up chest X-ray
- Main risk: pneumothorax (most often small and resolving on its own — a chest drain may be needed in larger cases)
- Follow-up chest CT scan the next morning (day 1)
- Discharge home after the CT scan is reviewed, if there is no significant residual pneumothorax
- Follow-up CT scan at 3 months to assess the complete response
Under general anaesthesia
Percutaneous puncture guided by CT scan
Placement of the ablation probe in the lesion
Protection of nearby organs if needed (controlled pneumothorax, hydrodissection, etc.)
Tumour destruction using the chosen method
Post-procedure monitoring with follow-up imaging
What is the recovery like?
- Moderate chest pain is possible
- Most common complication: pneumothorax, usually small and temporary, which can occur in about 30% of cases and may require a drain
- Less commonly: coughing up blood, infection
- Radiological follow-up at 1 and 3 months, then regularly according to oncology guidelines
What to prepare before the consultation
- A recent chest CT scan
- Respiratory work-up if available
- A summary letter from your doctor
📄 Patient information sheet
Patient information sheet
Download our patient information sheet before your appointment.
⚡ At a glance — key figures
Percutaneous lung ablation (radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation) destroys a lung tumour through a needle passed through the chest wall under CT guidance, with no thoracotomy.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Local control | 85–90% for lesions under 3 cm |
| Indications | Early-stage lung cancer in non-surgical candidates, lung metastases (notably colorectal) |
| Respiratory function | Preserved — valuable for patients with limited breathing reserve |
| Main complication | Pneumothorax, common but usually mild; only a minority need chest drainage |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees. |
Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
✅ Cost: covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees in our centre.
❓ Frequently asked questions
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.