When it comes to radiofrequency ablation, one size does not fit all. Tumors and surrounding tissues react so differently to the thermal injury produced by the ablation probes that it is necessary to develop tissue-specific temperature and time of ablation protocols, according to researchers from Harvard University. More »

As lung radiofrequency ablation increases in use, researchers are identifying factors that produce two of the most common complications: tumor recurrence and pneumothorax. More »

Data in the April issue of Radiology validate radiofrequency ablation as a safe and effective treatment alternative for inoperable patients with lung cancer. The study, the largest and longest to date, also suggests RFA provides better survival and disease control in these patients than does external-beam radiotherapy. More »

“I predict that lung radiofrequency ablation is going to be very big indeed,” said Dr. Alice Gillams at the beginning of her two presentations on Saturday examining factors influencing tumor recurrence and incidence of pneumothoraces. More »

The histopathology of residual tissue from radiofrequency ablation probes after ablation of hepatocellular carcinomas could predict local tumor progression independently from other tests, according to a study presented Friday at the 2007 Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Seattle. More »

The swift rise of percutaneous ablative interventions represents one example of the power of innovation -- crushing barriers that stand between discovery and adoption into routine medical practice. More »

Cryotherapy is often portrayed as radiofrequency ablation’s little brother. But the thermal ablation technique is muscling in on malignancies in several organ systems, according to studies presented Tuesday at the RSNA meeting. More »

Radiofrequency ablation is effective for treating some liver metastases of ovarian cancer and could spare patients from repeated surgeries, according to a retrospective study from Massachusetts General Hospital. More »

More than half of patients with inoperable lung cancer treated with a combination of thermal ablation and radiotherapy survive three years or more, according to a study in the July issue of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. More »

An intraperitoneal injection of dextrose prior to radiofrequency ablation of peripheral liver tumors reduces postprocedural pain and the need for painkillers, according to two studies in the May issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. The technique could make treatment available to a larger pool of patients by rendering RFA safer in anatomically challenging areas. More »