Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment for cancer

Advocate Health Care's skilled interventional radiologists specialize in radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive treatment that heats and destroys cancer cells. RFA is primarily used to treat liver, lung and kidney cancer, especially smaller tumors.

How it works

Imaging tools like CT or ultrasound help your radiologist guide a thin needle through a small incision in the skin and into the tumor. High-energy radio waves are passed through the needle, delivering a precise round ball of heat to kill cancer cells, with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue or structures. The dead tumor tissue shrinks and slowly forms a scar.

Benefits of RFA

• Effective alternative for patients who may not be a candiate for surgery, because there are several small tumors, the position of the cancer makes surgery difficult or other health reasons
• Less pain, fewer complications and faster recovery compared to open surgery
• Can be repeated multiple times if the tumor persists or recurs in the same area
• Even if ablation doesn't completely remove the tumor, it can shrink the tumor to ease pain and discomfort and may help extend life for a signficant time