IgG and IgM glycosylation patterns in patients undergoing image-guided tumor ablation.

Background: Image-guided tumor ablation is a technique whereby needle-like applicators are placed directly into solid tumors under guidance typically with computed tomography or ultrasound. Changes in IgG and IgM antibody glycosylation were studied during ablation-induced immune response to cancer, and the use of glycosylation as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and disease treatment was examined.

Methods: Plasma from 27 tumor patients was collected immediately before, after and for 6 months following ablation.

Cost and effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation versus limited surgical resection for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer in elderly patients: is less more?

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate cost and mortality in 84 patients older than 65 years of age with stage IA or IB non-small-cell lung cancer treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation or limited surgical resection (ie, wedge resection or segmentectomy) from the perspective of the payer, Medicare.

Materials And Methods: From August 2000 to November 2009, 56 patients were treated with RF ablation and 28 with surgery who met the inclusion criteria. Patient health histories and billing charges from initial treatment to the study endpoint were collected.