Vascular & Interventional Radiology

RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a localized, nonsurgical treatment for tumor cells. In this procedure, a needle is guided with imaging through the skin to the tumor. Radiofrequency energy is transmitted through the tip of the needle into the tumor, producing enough heat to damage the tumor tissue, causing it to shrink slowly and form a scar over time.

This treatment is generally used for inoperable tumors and is easier for the patient than surgery, chemotherapy, or other cancer treatments. RFA is used to decrease a tumor’s size and can improve a patient’s symptoms tumor and potentially extend a patient’s life. This is considered a safe procedure that is particularly effective in smaller tumors.