Microwave Thermal Ablation for Breast Cancer in Africa: A Pioneering Case Report Utilizing TATOpro

TL;DR

This paper reports a case where microwave thermal ablation was used alone to treat breast cancer in an elderly African patient, with no recurrence after one year.

Contribution

The study presents a pioneering case of MWA as a sole treatment for breast cancer in Africa.

Findings

The patient showed no signs of disease recurrence after one year of follow-up.

MWA using the TATOpro system was well-tolerated and effective as a standalone treatment.

The case suggests MWA could be a viable alternative for patients who cannot undergo surgery or systemic therapies.

Abstract

The adoption of minimally invasive treatments for early-stage breast cancer is increasing. Microwave thermal ablation (MWA), a minimally invasive technique, has been studied for treating small breast cancer lesions. However, long-term evidence on its efficacy as a sole treatment is limited, as most studies combine MWA with other therapies and post-treatment surgical excision. This report details the case of an 83-year-old African patient who declined surgery and systemic therapies, opting for MWA using the TATOpro system as the sole treatment for contralateral breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis. The report includes a one-year follow-up, assessing disease recurrence with MRI and ultrasound. The findings highlight MWA's potential as an innovative and efficacious breast cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies in oncology.

Figures