Tumor Ablation

Microwave Ablation (MWA) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) are widely employed to treat specific cases, including:

1. Liver cancers (HCC intermediate stage & Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma)
2. Lung malignant nodule/metastasis
3. Painful bone metastasis
4. Osteoid osteoma—Bony lesion
5. Fibroids
6. Thyroid Nodules

Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures, like ablation, are typically conducted by a specially trained interventional radiologist in an interventional radiology suite or occasionally in the operating room.

Once the needle electrode is in position, radiofrequency/microwave energy is applied. For large tumors, multiple ablations may be necessary by repositioning the needle electrode or placing multiple needles into different parts of the tumor to ensure no tumor tissue is left behind.

Benefits of Microwave/RFA ablation include:

• Effective treatment for primary liver cancer and cancers that have spread to the liver in select patients whose tumors are unsuitable for surgical resection.
• In tumor ablation selected, over half of the liver tumors treated by ablation have not recurred, with a success rate of over 85% for completely eliminating small liver tumors.
• Treatment-related serious complications are infrequent, and discomfort is less than surgery.
• Ablation can be used repeatedly for recurrent liver tumors.
• Percutaneous ablation, with needles inserted through the skin, is minimally invasive, producing few complications and not requiring hospital admission.
• Ablation is a quick procedure, and recovery is rapid, allowing for almost immediate resumption of chemotherapy in patients who need it.
• No surgical incision is necessary—only a small skin nick that doesn’t require stitches.