Ablation is a form of treatment used to treat various types of diseases and conditions. Ablation is the destruction of tissue that is diseased, cancerous or unnecessary. It can be done through several methods, including freezing, radiofrequency energy and heat application, among others. Ablation provides a successful form of treatment that can be an alternative to other invasive procedures for many patients.
Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation can be used to treat women who suffer from excessive bleeding with their menstrual period. Endometrial ablation involves the insertion of a device into the cervix to destroy part of the lining of the endometrium. The device can remove the tissue through various methods, such as freezing the tissue, destroying the lining through electrical currents or a heat source, or using a laser. Endometrial ablation is a form of therapy that is indicated for those who have completed childbearing, as removal of tissue will make it difficult to support a pregnancy. It is also suggested as an alternative to hysterectomy for some women.
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation is used to treat forms of cardiac arrythmias, such as supraventicular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. These types of heart rhythms are abnormal and produce an extremely rapid heartbeat and poor heart functioning.
Catheter ablation is also called radio frequency ablation and is done by a cardiac specialist. A flexible catheter that has an electrode on the end is passed through a vein and into the heart. The physician is able to specifically target the area of the heart causing the dysfunctional rhythm and destroy it using radio frequency energy from the electrode.
Bone Marrow Ablation
Bone marrow ablation is used preceding a bone marrow transplant in the treatment of some types of cancer. The bone marrow is tissue found inside the bones that contains stem cells. For a person undergoing a bone marrow transplant for treatment, the existing stem cells must first be removed through a process of ablation. Bone marrow ablation is done by giving a patient a large dose of chemotherapy or radiation to kill existing cancer cells. This then provides room for the new stem cells of the transplant to develop within the bone.
Rotablation
Rotablation is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease for some patients. Coronary artery disease involves the build-up of fats and plaques in the small vessels on the heart. If enough plaques develop, a blockage can occur, leading to a heart attack. A physician uses rotablation to break up some of these plaques and fatty tissues. A catheter is inserted into a vein and threaded into the arteries by the heart. The catheter contains a small blade that grinds up the plaque pieces and opens the arteries to avoid occlusion.
Tumor Ablation
Tumor ablation is a procedure performed on patients diagnosed with cancer and those who have a tumor that is difficult to remove. A device is inserted directly into the tumor that uses radio frequency to heat the tumor and destroy it. Alternatively, tumor ablation can be done by injecting the tumor with a cold gas, also called cryotherapy, which kills tumor cells. Tumor ablation is used for patients who have tumors that are small and is frequently done for those with cancer of the lung or liver. Tumor ablation is also an alternative to invasive surgery.
