Radiofrequency Ablation in Breast Cancer

Background/Main objective: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure widespread accepted in the treatment of different tumors, especially in the liver but its benefit is not yet well-known in breast cancer. Our main objective is to evaluate the usefulness of RFA in \< 2cm malignant breast tumors to reduce the proportion of positive margins. Methodology: The investigator propose a single-center, single-blind, phase I and II randomized controlled trial. Phase I:Security of the cool-tip cluster electrode assessing the potential adverse effects in three stages: initial,intermediate and final. Phase II: Randomized clinical trial, 2 parallel groups with 37 patients in each one. Experimental group: percutaneous RFA previous to conventional lumpectomy. Control group: conventional surgery with lumpectomy. The number of positive margins in both groups, and the need of extending margin resection will be assessed intraoperatively. Inclusion criteria: women \>40 years, infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma by biopsy. The tumor must be unique, visible by ultrasound, smaller than 2cm and located \> 1 cm from the chest wall and the skin. Patients will be followed up for a period of two years to assess cosmetic result, short -term and long -term complications and recurrences. Expected results: The \"cool-tip\" (cluster) ablation method reduces by at least 30% the risk of intraoperative extensions for positive margins during lumpectomy compared to conventional surgery in breast tumors with a diameter \< 2 cm. Therefore this procedure may reduce the risk of second surgeries and the removed volume of tissue.Consequently the final cosmetic result should be improved.