To investigate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography(CT)-guided microwave ablation versus cryoablation in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and lung cancer.

A total of 49 patients with pulmonary nodules or lung cancer admitted to our hospital from July 2018 to October 2023 were selected. Twenty-six patients treated with microwave ablation comprised the microwave group, and 23 patients treated with cryoablation comprised the cryoablation group. Post-treatment complications and progression-free survival rates were compared between the two groups.

In the cryoablation group 23 cases, the tumor location was left-sided in 5 cases (21.74%) and right-sided in 18 cases (78.26%); nodules were subsolid in 20 cases (86.96%) and solid in 3 cases (13.04%); nodule size was <5 mm in 0 cases, 5~10 mm in 5 cases (21.74%), and >10 mm in 18 cases (78.26%); pathological types were benign in 15 cases (65.22%) and malignant in 8 cases (34.78%), including 1 case of lung squamous cell carcinoma (4.35%) and 7 cases of lung adenocarcinoma (30.43%). In the microwave group 26 cases, the tumor location was left-sided in 12 cases (46.15%) and right-sided in 14 cases (53.85%); nodules were subsolid in 17 cases (65.38%) and solid in 9 cases (34.62%); nodule size was <5 mm in 1 case (3.85%), 5~10 mm in 4 cases (15.38%), and >10 mm in 21 cases (80.77%); pathological types were benign in 8 cases (30.77%) and malignant in 18 cases (69.23%), including 1 case of lung squamous cell carcinoma (3.85%), 15 cases of lung adenocarcinoma (57.69%), 1 case of sarcomatoid carcinoma (3.85%), and 1 case of metastatic breast cancer (3.85%). In the cryoablation group, complications were: pneumothorax in 1 case (4.35%), subcutaneous emphysema in 1 case (4.35%), recurrence in 3 cases (13.04%), and death in 0 cases. In the microwave group, complications were: pneumothorax in 5 cases (19.23%), pleural effusion in 1 case(3.85%), abscess in 1 case (3.85%), distant metastasis in 1 case (3.85%), recurrence in 4 cases (15.38%), and death in 3 cases (11.54%).

Both microwave ablation and cryoablation are safe and effective for the treatment of pulmonary nodules and can be considered as treatment options in addition to surgery.