Percutaneous ablation, also known as percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, uses radio waves to create heat that destroys tumor tissue. It is increasingly used to treat patients with small cancerous tumors of the lung, kidney and liver as well as some tumors that have spread to the bones. The procedure involves the use of special imaging (CT, MRI, ultrasound) to guide a needle with a small electrode at the end into the tumor. Next, a high-frequency electric current is directed through the needle, creating heat that eliminates cancerous cells. This minimally invasive treatment may be combined with radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other treatments as an alternative to surgery, particularly when the tumor or tumors to be addressed are less than 1.5 inches in diameter and well-contained.
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