Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy
What is Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy?
Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy (RFA) uses the heat generated by radio waves to kill cancer cells and to relieve symptoms of tumours. However it has been used to help treat musculoskeletal problems too. Though not the most common treatment, RFA can be used to treat a number of cancers. Most people have it in conjunction with surgery, but RFA is a great option if, for some reason, you are unable to have surgery. RFA is often carried out under local anaesthetic due to the discomfort of the probe. [R6] [R7] [R8]
How does it work?
Diagram showing RFA. Source (Artery & Vein.com)
Safety
Radio ablation therapy (RFA) utilises a probe that is inserted into the tumour or other target tissue. The probe then has an alternating current passed through it, much like how radio waves are produced in antennae. This alternating current oscillates at a frequency close to that of radio waves, hence the name ‘radio ablation therapy’. The energy delivered from the probe is in the form of radio waves and causes the surrounding tissue to heat up to temperatures that cause the cells to die. [R6] Click here to find out how heat is generated.
RFA is a minimally invasive procedure and has a low rate of complications. Due to the targeted nature of the treatment, damage to healthy cells is minimised meaning the treatment as a whole is relatively safe. Research is still being conducted however in to the long-term effects of the treatment as it has only begun to be widely used recently. Your body would only absorb enough energy to heat 0.73 cups of tea. [R7][R8]
Your body absorbs enough energy to heat 0.74 cups of tea from RFA treatment. It is more than scans as the treatment is designed to heat cells.
