Multicenter retrospective study of bronchoscopic pulsed electric field ablation for carcinoid tumors

Pulmonary carcinoid tumors are indolent neuroendocrine neoplasms. Patients ineligible for surgery or radiation have limited treatment options. Bronchoscopic pulsed electric field (PEF) ablation is arising as a minimally invasive alternative for localized lung malignancies. A multicenter retrospective study in the USA evaluated bronchoscopic PEF ablation using shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) or endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) for ten pulmonary carcinoid lesions from eight patients. The mean tumor size reduction was 8.10 mm or an overall percentage reduction of 53.9% (range 25-100). No major complications occurred. Three patients had mild intraprocedural bleeding. During a median follow-up time of 3.5 months (IQR 3.0-4.5), one patient underwent re-ablation for tumor recurrence without complications. Two peripheral pulmonary nodules showed complete resolution at follow-up. The authors conclude that PEF ablation delivered via ssRAB and EBUS for pulmonary carcinoid tumors is feasible and safe. With promising radiographic responses.