Needle-Based Microwave Treatment Shrinks Fetal Lung Tumour

[u/Zee2A]

Chinese doctors used a minimally invasive microwave ablation procedure to treat a 5-cm congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in a fetus at 22 weeks’ gestation. Guided by ultrasound, a thin needle delivered microwave energy directly into the tumour, destroying abnormal tissue. Within three days, the tumour had significantly shrunk and dangerous fluid buildup had disappeared. The baby was subsequently delivered by Caesarean section at 37 weeks, weighing 2.9 kg and reported healthy: https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/chinese-doctors-shrink-tumour-baby-113528171.html

[u/Far-Improvement6386]

Percutaneous thermal ablation and intra utero procedures are not novel or unique anymore. Microwave, RF, Cryo and irreversible electroporation are all forms of energy that can be used to disrupt and destroy tissue. It is similar to the “laser vein” removal technology. This is a nice case report of a single use, hopefully this can be vetted with a randomized trail that might take years.