Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy is the choice for the ablation (tissue destruction) for treating liver cancer (HCC) among surgeons in the U.S. The HCC tumor less than 3 cm is ideal for RFA.
During therapy, a surgeon makes small holes in the abdomen (laparoscopically) or during open exploration of the abdomen inserts a probe and the non-insulated electrodes shaped like prongs.
Then, a heat melts the tissue that is adjacent to the probe which is left in place for about 10-15 minutes.
The procedure is monitored visually by ultrasound scanning. The benefit of RFA therapy is that provide some relief to the patients with liver cancer but it does not cure the disease.
