1 Guidance 1.1 Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for primary and secondary lung cancers shows that there are no major safety concerns with this procedure. There is evidence that the treatment can reduce tumour bulk; however, this evidence is limited and is based on heterogeneous indications for treatment. The procedure should therefore be used only with special arrangements for consent, audit and clinical governance.
1.2 Clinicians wishing to undertake percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for primary and secondary lung cancers should take the following actions. - Inform the clinical governance leads in their Trusts. - Ensure that patients understand the uncertainty about the procedure's safety and efficacy and provide them with clear written information. In addition, use of the Institute's information for patients ('Understanding NICE guidance') is recommended (available from www.nice.org.uk/IPG185publicinfo). - Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients undergoing percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for primary and secondary lung cancers.
1.3 Patient selection should be carried out in the context of a multidisciplinary team, usually including a thoracic surgeon, an oncologist and a radiologist. This procedure should be used in patients for whom surgery is inappropriate or who are unwilling to undergo surgery.
1.4 Further research will be useful in relation to survival and quality-of-life outcomes, and in establishing the potential role of this procedure as either curative or palliative treatment.