RFA (theory)

[Olga]

RFA is a radiofrequency tumour ablation by the probe inserted from the ouside of the body trough the skin and pleura until its tip is in the centre of the targeted met. Then the emission from the tip heats the tumour up and cooks it.
This option - percutaneous tumour ablation RFA - is reliable up to 3-4 cm for the tumour to be completely ablated. It has to be located in the outer 2/3 part of the lung and is not getting done if the tumour is close to the major blood vessels or other structures, also there is a limit to the number of the mets ablated. The procedure is done by the interventional radiologist in a team with the thoracic surgeon.
I personally do not have an experience with the RFA but I know a few doctors with the experience who does RFA -

Dr.Dupuy from the Rhode Island Hospital
http://www.brown.edu/Divisions/Medical_ ... 1100924038

and
Dr. Robert Suh of UCLA School of Medicine
http://www.healthcare.ucla.edu/institut ... el_id=9345

the important part about choosing the interventional radiologist is to find the one who has done at least 40-50 cases as the complications might be severe - collapsed lung, internal bleeding, perforation, pleural effusion etc. which are getting less frequent with the experience.
In Canada RFA is done in Toronto by Dr.Michael R. Johnston
http://www.ctsnet.org/home/mjohnston in a clinical trial setting so there might some limitation reg. enrollment.