Radiofrequency ablation: Pros and cons

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Huy Hoang - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital. Doctor Vu Huy Hoang has 10 years of experience working in the field of diagnostic imaging.

Radiofrequency ablation is one of the methods of heat therapy (it can be laser, radiofrequency or microwave). This is a new and most modern method in the treatment of benign tumors with high efficiency.

What is high frequency ablation? This is a question of many patients because this is a new modern treatment method. Radiofrequency ablation is a method of destroying tumors with heat caused by the friction of ions in the tissue under the influence of high-frequency alternating current, located in the range of sound waves.
Accordingly, an electrode is placed in the center of the tumor and maintained at a destructive temperature of 60 -100°C. Electric current from the machine is delivered to the tumor through a needle-shaped electrode, radio waves are passed into the needle tip and heat is generated. Frictional heat dries the surrounding tissue leading to intracellular dehydration and tumor coagulation necrosis.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, under the guidance of imaging devices such as ultrasound, computed tomography or digital erasure angiography (DSA), the radiologist will precisely insert the needle into the tumor center. . The average time to perform radiofrequency ablation is about 60 minutes. In which the burning time is about 12 to 15 minutes.

Radiofrequency ablation is very effective in the treatment of the following diseases:
Primary or secondary liver tumors <3.5 cm in diameter. Up to 3 liver lesions can be treated. Large liver tumors can use 3-electrode beam needles Benign thyroid tumors Thyroid toxic nodules Recurrent thyroid cancer: This method is effective and safe when treating local recurrences of adenocarcinoma. thyroid papilloma Lung tumor Cure disc herniation.

3.1. Advantages of high-frequency ablation High-frequency ablation is a highly technical method, without surgery, without skin incision, and invasive, so it can overcome many disadvantages of traditional surgical methods. Advantages of high-frequency ablation can be mentioned as:
This is a minimally invasive treatment, the burning process is done through a very small needle, so there is absolutely no scar. With traditional surgery, the patient will have on his neck a long scar, typically a thyroid tumor that is common in women, so cosmetic issues need to be taken care of. Because there is no skin incision and anesthesia, after radiofrequency ablation, the patient only needs to lie down and monitor for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to be able to leave the hospital without having to stay in the hospital for a long time, reducing a lot of expenses. costs of hospital stay and travel and care for family members. Do not take drugs: Due to selective burning of the tumor, preserving as much of the healthy area as possible, the patient does not have to take medicine after treatment. Limiting the risks compared to traditional surgery such as complications of anesthesia, wound infection, bleeding during and after surgery like traditional surgery, fast recovery time. 3.2. Disadvantages of high-frequency ablation Under the guidance of ultrasound, the doctor uses a needle to precisely destroy each millimeter of tumor with the heat energy from the high-frequency waves. Therefore, this is the optimal method with the least complications. However, this is an advanced technique that has just been applied, so it has not been widely disseminated, along with the high cost of treatment.

Besides, thyroid radiofrequency ablation technique can cause some side effects after surgery such as: neck pain, temporary voice change, slight skin burn,... However, side effects This is very rare and compared to the advantages it possesses, the patient does not need to worry at all.
Radiofrequency ablation is a modern method with high efficiency in treatment. Currently, in the world, ablation by radiofrequency waves has been used to successfully treat solid tumors of the lung, liver, kidney, thyroid, uterine fibroids and bone. However, to ensure effectiveness, patients need to choose reputable medical facilities to perform this technique.
Currently, radiofrequency ablation technique for the treatment of diseases has been performed at Vinmec International General Hospital. To ensure the process of medical examination and treatment, Vinmec is now fully equipped with facilities and a modern and standard medical system. In particular, the process of examining and performing radiofrequency ablation at Vinmec are all performed by experienced specialists with many years of experience in the profession, which will bring about high treatment efficiency, minimizing the maximum. Complications can occur during and after treatment.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for examination and treatment of thyroid tumors at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital and Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital, customers will enjoy dual incentives :
- Free specialist examination and free x-ray
- Reduce 50% of costs for customers who have a prescription for post-examination treatment. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.