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Microwave Ablation Procedures

A common method for eliminating tumors is the process called tumor ablation, which involves using chemicals or heat to destroy tumors. One of the most recent techniques developed in this field is microwave ablation, which uses electromagnetic waves generated from one or more thin microwave antennas that are applied directly to the tumor to create heat and friction that destroys the tumor. Microwave ablation has several advantages over other types of ablation procedures, such as the potential to destroy larger volumes of tumors faster and with less pain.

  1. Liver Tumors

    • A study published in 2007 in the journal of the International Pancreato-Biliary Association examined the results of tumor ablation procedures on U.S. patients and stated that microwave ablation is a “safe and effective technology for hepatic (liver) tumor ablation.” The most commonly used liver tumor ablation procedure in the U.S. is radio-frequency ablation, as microwave ablation is a newer and less widely available ablation procedure. Studies comparing liver tumors destroyed with either radiofrequency or ablation procedures indicate that microwave ablation reduces the amount of heat damage caused to healthy liver tissue during the procedure.

    Lung Tumors

    • Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the U.S., with over 160 000 deaths attributed to lung cancer in 2007. Surgical removal of cancerous tissue is the standard approach, although it is only appropriate for approximately 20 percent of all patients. A 2008 study published in the journal of Radiology indicated that microwave ablation is a safe and effective procedure for patients who do not qualify for lung surgery and may have some advantages over other types of ablation procedures.

    Kidney Tumors

    • Researchers have conducted few studies on microwave ablation of kidney tumors. A small 2007 study on U.S. patients with kidney tumors indicated that microwave ablation allowed for larger areas of kidney tumors to be destroyed than with radiofrequency ablation. This could potentially reduce the number of follow-up ablation procedures needed, although the authors noted that more clinical trials are required to confirm their results.

    Other Tumors

    • Researchers have conducted very few clinical trials on using microwave ablation to treat bone cancer because of how recently the procedure was developed. However, some researchers believe that microwave ablation may be a viable technique for treating bone cancer. Microwave ablation may also be effective for treating cancer of the adrenal glands, although there is still little clinical research on this as of yet.

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