Radiofrequency ablation of solid tumors

Radiofrequency ablation of solid tumors is produced by frictional heating c aused when ions in the tissue attempt to follow the changing directions of a high-frequency alternating current. The radiofrequency probe is typically placed under ultrasound guidance, and the ablation is performed with real- time ultrasound monitoring. Radiofrequency ablation has been demonstrated t o be effective in the treatment. of unresectable hepatic tumors, and promis ing results have also been obtained in tumors of the lung, bone, brain, kid ney, prostate gland. and pancreas. Most recently, radiofrequency ablation h as been tested in the treatment of invasive breast tumors, A preliminary st udy reported that intraoperative radiofrequency ablation causes invasive br east cancer cell death in patients with locally advanced breast cancer. An ongoing study is investigating the use of radiofrequency ablation for the t reatment of breast tumors 2 cm or less in diameter.