Radiofrequency ablation for cancer

Overview

Liver radiofrequency ablation

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A minimally invasive treatment called radiofrequency ablation (RFA), one of several types of ablation therapy, may be an alternative when surgery for certain types of cancer is not a good option. Guided by imaging techniques, the doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin and into the tumor. High-frequency electrical energy delivered through this needle heats and destroys the tumor. Months after the procedure, dead cells turn into a harmless scar.

RFA can be used to treat certain types of cancers in the liver, bone, kidney, lung and other locations, destroying cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy cells. Whether you are a good candidate for RFA depends on several issues, such as the size and location of your tumor.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for RFA

• Experience and expertise. For years, Mayo Clinic experts have been successfully performing RFA for various types of cancer.
• Multispecialty team approach. Your RFA team at Mayo Clinic includes skilled radiologists who perform the procedure, as well as specialists in general surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and other areas as needed, such as hepatology for people with liver cancer.
• Comprehensive cancer center. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center meets strict standards for a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center, recognizing scientific excellence and a multispecialty approach focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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