Radiofrequency
Ablation
What is Radiofrequency
Ablation?
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive method of
eliminating tumors without surgery. In the past, patients with
cancer and other tumors had only two options to locally treat
their disease: surgical removal or radiation therapy.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RF Ablation) can destroy a tumor without
surgery and without the side effects of radiation therapy or
chemotherapy. A special probe is placed in the tumor. It is
connected to a machine that sends a current into the probe causing
the probe to emit radio waves. These waves heat up the tumor until
it is destroyed. The principle is similar to heating food in a
microwave oven, but because the wavelength of energy emitted is
different than a microwave, the heat is deposited only next to the
probe. This allows us to destroy the tumor or diseased tissue
while preserving as much normal tissue as possible.
What types of tumors can
be treated this way?
The most common type of tumor or cancer treated by RF Ablation is
cancer of the liver. This may either be primary liver cancer (hepatocellular
carcinoma) or metastatic cancer that has traveled to the liver.
Other tumors treated with RF Ablation may be in the bones,
kidneys, or other organs.
How would I know if I
was a candidate for this treatment?
Almost all cancer patients’ treatment is directed by an
oncologist: a physician who specializes in cancer treatment. The
oncologist would understand your history, review your films with
an interventional radiologist, and mutually agree on whether or
not you are able to receive this treatment. If it is felt that
this treatment could benefit you, you would then consult with the
interventional radiologist who would perform the procedure. During
this evaluation the radiologist will review your images and blood
work and may recommend additional tests. At this point an RF
Ablation treatment will be scheduled.
What happens during the
procedure?
RF Ablation is an image directed procedure usually done in a
CT scan or ultrasound room. You will lie down on an exam table and
the tumor will be located with either ultrasound or CT. Sedation
is administered by an anesthesiologist so that you feel no
discomfort and are not conscious during the procedure. Using
imaging, the radiologist places the needle shaped probe into the
tumor where it is heated and destroyed. More than one area of
tumor or cancer may be heated and destroyed at this time. Each
heat treatment given takes about twelve minutes. The total
procedure takes between one and three hours. After the radiologist
feels as much treatment as indicated has been completed you are
sent to the recovery room for observation.
What can I expect after
the procedure?
When a tumor is destroyed, local nerve endings may become
irritated or some bleeding may occur. This can cause an aching,
dull pain in and around the treated area. Many patients feel no
pain and are symptom free after the procedure while others have
discomfort requiring pain medication. If this is necessary, the
radiologist and nurse will provide this for you.
Almost all patients are pain and symptom free within two
weeks of the procedure.
What are the risks?
Any invasive procedure has risks.
The probe must be placed precisely in the tumor. The normal
tissue nearby may be injured if heated. Organs that are commonly
at risk of injury include adjacent bowel, gallbladder, bile ducts
and diaphragm. If a significant local injury occurs, surgery may
be needed for correction. However, this only happens about three
(3%) to five (5%) percent of the time. The risk is very dependent
on the location of the tumor and the structures that surround it.
This procedure is performed
by SDI Radiologists at St. Joseph's Hospital.
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