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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

aka RFA, radiofrequency, thermal ablation, ablated, ablative

Killing a tumour by heating it with an electrical current through a needle placed under image guidance, without removing it.

A probe delivers alternating current that heats tissue above 60°C, coagulating tumours up to about 3 cm. Standard for small hepatocellular carcinomas (equivalent to resection under 2-3 cm), colorectal liver metastases, small kidney tumours in comorbid patients, lung nodules, and Barrett's oesophagus after endoscopic resection. Limitations are the heat-sink effect near large vessels and incomplete ablation of larger lesions, which microwave ablation partly overcomes.

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Procedures

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