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– Radiofrequency Ablation at Heartland
September 17, 2004
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What is Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors?
Many methods of minimally invasive therapy have been attempted in recent years to eliminate tumors in organs like the liver. One of the most promising is called radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In general, radiofrequency ablation causes only minimal discomfort and may be done as an outpatient procedure without general anesthesia. Admission to the hospital is not usually necessary.
How does it work?
A special needle electrode is placed in the tumor under the guidance of an imaging method such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A radiofrequency current then is passed through the electrode to heat the tumor tissue near the needle tip and ablate (eliminate) it. The heat from radiofrequency energy also closes up small blood vessels, thereby minimizing the risk of bleeding.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
Two types of liver tumor have been the main targets of radiofrequency ablation: hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a primary liver cancer, and colon cancer that spreads (metastasizes) to the liver. Many patients with a malignant liver tumor are not good candidates for surgery, sometimes because their tumor is too widespread or inaccessible, or because of other medical conditions that make surgery especially risky. In other cases, so much liver tissue would have to be removed with the tumor that not enough would be left to provide adequate liver function. For many of these patients, radiofrequency ablation is a viable and effective treatment option.
Some liver tumors that have failed to respond to chemotherapy, or which have ecurred after initial surgery, may be treated by radiofrequency ablation. If there are multiple tumor nodules they may be treated in one or more sessions. In some cases radiofrequency ablation has made it possible to operate on a patient after eliminating several small liver tumors that were too spread out to remove surgically.
Ask your doctor is Radiofrequency Ablation is right for you.
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