Lung tumor ablation: Radiofrequency ablation, a common treatment for small liver tumors, is also a promising treatment strategy for patients with malignant lung tumors, researchers report in The Lancet Oncology (published by Elsevier, which also publishes "The Gray Sheet") June 18. A trial of 106 lung-tumor patients unsuitable for surgery, radiation or chemotherapy led by Riccardo Lencioni, University of Pisa, found that ablation is generally safe, with no procedure-related deaths. Of the 85 patients followed at least one year, 88% showed a complete response for the targeted tumors. A randomized trial is now warranted to compare ablation to standard treatment options, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the researchers say. AngioDynamics, which makes the 1500X RF/StarBurst ablation system used in the study and is seeking a lung tumor indication for the device, funded the research

Lung tumor ablation: Radiofrequency ablation, a common treatment for small liver tumors, is also a promising treatment strategy for patients with malignant lung tumors, researchers report in The Lancet Oncology (published by Elsevier, which also publishes "The Gray Sheet") June 18. A trial of 106 lung-tumor patients unsuitable for surgery, radiation or chemotherapy led by Riccardo Lencioni, University of Pisa, found that ablation is generally safe, with no procedure-related deaths. Of the 85 patients followed at least one year, 88% showed a complete response for the targeted tumors. A randomized trial is now warranted to compare ablation to standard treatment options, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, the researchers say. AngioDynamics, which makes the 1500X RF/StarBurst ablation system used in the study and is seeking a lung tumor indication for the device, funded the research

Device makers still have a lot of work to do to convince the cost-conscious governments of Europe that their products have strong socioeconomic value, says Eucomed Chairman Guy Lebeau