Treating Tumors: Radiation or Not?

When surgery or radiation is not an option to treat tumors, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be a good solution. Using a thin needle guided by a CT scan or ultrasound imaging, RFA uses electrical energy to heat and destroy the tumor. The procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes under general anesthesia, and usually you can go home the next day. Also, RFA can be repeated in case any new cancer tumors develop.

What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA)?
What is RFA used to treat?
Is RFA something new?
How can I find out more about RFA or other treatment options for tumors?
About Dr. Bloch

What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA)?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the most commonly used technologies to heat tumors so hot that the tumor cells die. Before the procedure begins, the patient receives general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Next, “grounding pads” are placed so that, in essence, the patient creates an electrical circuit. The patient also receives medication to block any pain and to numb the skin.

The surgeon inserts a small needle through the patient’s skin. Then, using imaging guidance (such as with ultrasound or a CT scan) the needle heats and kills the tumor cells. The heat cauterizes the tissue so that there is very little bleeding. Over time, the tumor gradually shrinks and becomes scar tissue.

Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure. They usually go home the same day or the day after RFA, and usually there is no pain or soreness.

What is RFA used to treat?
Because RFA is a minimally invasive approach to fighting tumors, it may be a good choice when more traditional surgery is not a good option. It also may be a good choice when other cancer treatments have failed.

RFA is effective for treating certain types of tumors in the spine, bone, liver, kidney, lung, heart, breast, lymph nodes, nerve ganglia, and soft tissues. It is fast, predictable, safe, and relatively inexpensive.

Is RFA something new?
RFA itself is not new, but using it to treat specific tumors is a relatively new and promising development. At Southwest, we are using RFA as one of several options to fight cancer.

Heat has been used as medical treatment for hundreds if not thousands of years. The ancient Greeks used hot stones to stop bleeding, and ancient Hindus used heated bars of metal.

The practical application of medication, surgery and heat was described by Hippocrates, who was the ancient father of modern medicine (born 460 BC): “Diseases that medicine cannot cure, the knife (surgery) will cure. What the knife cannot cure, fire (cauterization) will cure.”

How can I find out more about RFA or other treatment options for tumors?
RFA is one of several tumor treatment options available at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. Other radiation techniques include:

• CyberKnife® radiosurgery with precise robotic treatment, cameras and speaker system for image-guided, bloodless surgery
• Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Clinac 23X with dual-energy photon and electron beams
• Linear accelerators
• Diagnostic PET/CT
• Radiography-based simulation room and T scanners
• Brachytherapy using CS 137
• Customized patient treatment device fabiration
• MammoSite® and HDR referral to OHSU

Your cancer treatment plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these.

PeaceHealth Southwest’s Regional Cancer Center is accredited as a Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. It is the only accredited Cancer Center serving Southwest Washington.

In addition, PeaceHealth Southwest’s Radiation Oncology Department is accredited by the American College of Radiology. As the only radiation treatment center accredited in the State of Washington, it is one of only three accredited centers in the Washington, Oregon and Idaho region. For more information about the Regional Cancer Center, go to www.swmedicalcenter.org/cancercenter or call 360.514.2174.

About Dr. Bloch
Robert D. Bloch, MD, PhD specializes in vascular and interventional radiology at Columbia Imaging Group. He is also part of the CyberKnife® radiosurgery team at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

Dr. Bloch graduated from Chicago Medical School. He completed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical School and his fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Dr. Bloch has published works in the American Journal of Physiology, Radiographics, and the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

You can locate a doctor to help you with cancer care (oncology) on our Find a Doctor area.

Published May 2008.

Disclaimer