People who are suffering from cancer have an effective weapon that can be added to their current therapy. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that can be used to treat certain cancers. A needle is inserted into the tumor using image guidance. RF energy is sent into the needle tip. The RF energy generates heat within the tumor. The heat results in the destruction of the treated tumor. This procedure is being used on certain lung, liver, bone, kidney and breast tumors
Dr. Jason R. Williams, chief of cancer ablation at The American Institute for Cancer Ablation, has been using this procedure to treat many types of cancer. "We have seen great success with RFA," said Dr. Williams. "We have also had good results in treating larger tumors, particularly in the lungs," explained Dr. Williams. RFA has generally been reserved for tumors under 4 cm. Doctors at The American Institute for Cancer Ablation have treated tumors up to 16 cm.
"It was previously felt that larger tumors could not be treated with RFA. We use sophisticated imaging techniques, such as combined PET/CT, to help guide our ablations. These larger tumors do not usually respond well to chemotherapy and radiation. We can help shrink these tumors, so that hopefully chemo and radiation can do its job," says Dr. Williams.
The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours. "Most patients are watched overnight," Dr. Williams says. He reports that the complications have been very minor and are easily treated. The recovery time ranges from 1-7 days. "This procedure allows for a quick recovery, so that patients can get back to their other therapies," said Dr. Williams.
RFA has been well established in the treatment of liver tumors. Dr. Williams has not only been treating liver, but also tumors in the lungs, adrenals, breast, kidneys and bones. "The majority of our patients are not surgical candidates," said Dr. Williams. "This procedure offers new hope to patients who cannot be considered for surgery," says Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams predicts that in the future RFA will become standard in the treatment of many types of cancer.