Microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation are effective cancer treatments that can shrink or eliminate (ablate) tumors by destroying them with heat. Cryoablation can ablate tumors by freezing them. Together, these processes are known as Image Guided Tumor Ablation (IGTA).
With IGTA, a physician inserts a thin, needle-like electrode through a tiny puncture in the skin with guidance from CT scan, MRI or ultrasound. The energy is then delivered to the tumor. A vast majority of these procedures can be performed with intravenous (IV) sedation on an outpatient basis.
In the months following tumor ablation, the dead tumor cells are eliminated through the body’s natural healing process. Studies have shown the procedures to have outcomes similar to surgical intervention.
What are the advantages of IGTA?
- Minimal risk of infection or blood loss
- Low complication rate (e.g., trauma to adjacent tissues, risks of infection)
- Usually performed on an outpatient basis; offering a shorter hospital stay and recovery time
- Can be repeated (if necessary) if new tumors develop
- May be used to treat tumors when surgery and/or radiation are not options
- Can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments
- Can relieve pain
Additional Resources
View additional Image Guided Tumor Ablation videos
from Damian E. Dupuy, MD, FACR.
Resource Videos
How is IGTA used?
- Performed alone for non-surgical tumors or with non-surgical candidates such as the frail elderly
- Used as in addition to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation
- Performed as a curative therapy
- Utilized as a palliative therapy to shrink tumors, alleviate pain and improve quality of life
What can I expect if considering IGTA?
On the day of the procedure, patients check in at Radiology reception and obtain lab work if ordered, before being escorted to the patient care area – at which point an IV will be inserted for fluid and sedative administration. Following the procedure, which typically take 45-90 minutes, patients will recover in a dedicated recovery area before going home. Most patients are able to return to their usual activities within a few days.
Tumor ablation is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is considered very safe. Many medical plans cover ablation treatments when they are used in the liver, kidney, lung and bone. Given the rapid advances in this medical field, other areas of the body may not be covered by your insurance. We recommend that you discuss this in advance with your physician and consult your health insurance provider.
