A few years before the RTOG 0236 reported a local tumor control rate of 91% with lung SBRT (2010), the Z4033 trial explored RFA as an alternative. The key findings reported in 2015 might be why we continue to prefer SBRT today. #lcsm #radonc https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4578219/

The definitions for local recurrence are described here.

Here is the incidence of recurrence, by type.

Real-World Evidence provides further data about how "ablative" non-SBRT therapies can be. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11912-021-01072-4

I recently had a lovely conversation with a thermal ablation enthusiast. He helped me learn that RFA, MWA, and Cryoablation are indeed safe and effective treatments for pulmonary nodules. He then admitted that neither of these can match the efficacy of SBRT's "Thor Hammer".