Cancer is a complex disease process for which many treatment options exist, the most well known of which are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Many factors, such as the health of the individual or size and location of the tumor, may prevent the safe application of these therapies. Ablation therapy has proven effective for certain types of tumors with minimal side effects and risks.
Basics
Ablation therapy is a minimally invasive therapy that uses heat, cold or chemicals to destroy cancer cells. In cancer treatment, it is most often used to treat tumors of the liver, kidney, lung and bone by complete tumor destruction. Several different methods of ablation therapy may be used depending on the size, location and type of tumor as well as physician preference. All have been approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration.
Types
The three most common types of ablation therapy used for cancer treatment are radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, and percutaneous ethanol instillation. RFA uses radio wave pulses released from a probe inserted into the tumor that cause tumor molecules to vibrate and generate heat. Cells generally begin to die around 122 degrees Fahrenheit, with RFA generating temperatures up to 230 degrees. Cryoablation uses subzero temperature ice balls with circulating liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells. Percutaneous ethanol instillation involves injecting alcohol directly into the tumor. Upon contact, the alcohol destroys cells through the destruction of their outer membrane.
Procedure
Ablation therapy is generally administered in a hospital or clinical setting in a room used for human imaging scans. The patient lies on a table and an intravenous (IV) tube is inserted into a vein in the arm for administration of anesthesia medication. Sometimes, a catheter is inserted into the bladder. The physician, an interventional radiologist, will use a CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI scan to guide the insertion of the needle into the tumor. The therapy is applied within the tumor for periods up to 14 minutes. The entire procedure takes approximately an hour, depending on the size and type of tumor. Patients may stay overnight in the hospital for observation. Follow-up visits and imaging scans are usually needed to assess therapy effectiveness and future course of treatment.
Benefits
Ablation therapy offers many benefits as an alternative to surgery or other cancer therapies. It is a minimally or non-invasive surgery, which drastically reduces the risk of complications and speeds up the recovery time. Ablation therapy can also be used repeatedly for recurrent tumors. Different techniques, such as RFA and percutaneous ethanol instillation, may be employed together to increase effectiveness. Another benefit is a short procedure time with little or no pain involved.
Risks
As with all procedures, risks are involved. According to the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), one in four patients develops what is called post-ablation syndrome characterized by flu-like symptoms that appear several days after the procedure and go away in less than a week. Bleeding rarely occurs and usually stops on its own, but there is the possibility of severe bleeding, which could lead to further surgical procedures. Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tumor also occurs.
