Ablation is a form of local treatment in which cancer cells are destroyed by the direct application of certain agents on the cancer mass. The areas of the cancer in contact or close to the point of administration of the agent are destroyed. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it's not used in extensive treatment but is reserved for small lesions or treatments involving small areas where surgical resection is not a feasible option. Imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) or ultrasonography are used to correctly place the probes used in radiofrequency ablation.
Several types of ablation therapy are used in cancer treatments.
Radiofrequency Ablation
According to the ACS, this type of ablation therapy is a form of local hyperthermia, high heat energy, treatment. A thin wire or probe is inserted into the cancer mass and a high-energy radio wave is passed through it to generate very high temperatures, destroying the cancer. Radiofrequency ablation is mentioned by the ACS in the treatment of bony metastases of different cancers, liver cancer and metastatic liver disease, Barrett esophagus and esophageal cancer.
Cryoablation or Cryotherapy
In this form of ablation, freezing fluids are passed through thin, hollow probes inserted into the cancer mass. According to the ACS, this technique can be used in the treatment of prostate cancer, liver cancer and metastases and bone metastases.
Laser Ablation
Laser ablation--also called laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy--is the use of a specific type of laser called neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet, Nd:yag laser, to burn through cancerous tissue. The ACS mentions it in the treatment of esophageal cancer, in which an endoscope is used to keep the esophagus open and ease the process of swallowing in such patients.
Alcohol Ablation
Alcohol ablation or percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is the direct injection of a concentrated solution of ethanol into the cancer mass. It uses a needle passing through the skin and guided by ultrasound or CT. The ACS mentions it in the treatment of metastases in the liver from colorectal cancer.
Other Forms of Ablation Treatments
The ACS mentions electrocoagulation, the use of electric currents to burn through cancer masses, and argon plasma coagulation as other options of ablation therapy used to open a blocked esophagus in patients with esophageal cancer.
Microwave thermotherapy is another form of ablation therapy used in the treatment of liver cancer. It involves the use of microwaves to heat and destroy cancer cells.
