What is Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumours?
Many methods of minimally invasive therapy have been tried in recent years to eliminate tumours in organs like the liver. One of the most promising is called radiofrequency ablation, sometimes referred to as RFA. A special needle electrode is placed in the tumour under the guidance of an imaging method such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scanning, or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A radiofrequency current then is passed through the electrode to heat the tumour tissue near the needle tip and ablate—or eliminate—it. The heat from radiofrequency energy also closes up small blood vessels, thereby minimizing the risk of bleeding. In general, radiofrequency ablation causes only minimal discomfort and may be done as an outpatient procedure without general anaesthesia. Admission to the hospital is not usually necessary.
