Radiofrequency ablation
 

Have any of you sisters or brothers ever had this procedure or know anything about it?

I've read that it's used to knock out both primary and metastatic tumors in the liver and lung, as well as other places.

Since the recent appearance on a PET/CT of what seems to be another tiny met in the apex of my left lung, I'm wondering whether this procedure would be appropriate.

The first met a year ago was removed by video-assisted thorascic surgery. This new 8 mm met is in an area contiguous with post-surgical fibrotic changes, the report said.

I wrote about this last week on the board.

My oncologist wants me to wait another two months to get a CT. The scan would show the detail absent from a PET scan, which measures only metabolic activity but can't tell whether the nodule looks malignant or benign. Sometimes a benign tumor can light up on PET.

I also have an appointment with the thorascic surgeon who did the VATS, to get his input on the scan.

I'd like to know your thoughts.

Joan

Joan,

I don't know about this procedure but I just wanted to bump this up for you.

Tonya

I just wonder why wait for a CT? Why couldn't you do a CT now and get the more detailed info? I think there are some woman in my UCLA group who have had the radiofrequency ablation. I'll ask next group.
xo Flori

I saw a 60 minute special on it. It is still in development. It is basically microwaving the cancer and leaving healthy tissue. The trick is getting nano metal particle injected in the correct spot. The metal particle heat up and kill the cancer only. The new idea is to have these nano particles locate the cancer cell by attaching the same way herceptin does. I did not think they were doing human trial yet though. It is a novel idea. It was invented by a cancer patitent in his home with spare parts.

Joan- just wanted to pop back on and say that RFA is most definitely being used. John is referring to a man with leukemia who is working on a cancer treatment using Microwaves. I cannot remember that exact article but it was in the news about a week ago. Here's one link to RFA.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=rfa&bhcp=1


What is Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumors?

Radiofrequency ablation, sometimes referred to as RFA, is a minimally invasive treatment for cancer. It is an image-guided technique that heats and destroys cancer cells.
In radiofrequency ablation, imaging techniques such as ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are used to help guide a needle electrode into a cancerous tumor. High-frequency electrical currents are then passed through the electrode, creating heat that destroys the abnormal cells.

Thank you all for your responses. John, as Flori mentioned, I think you are referring to the recent news about the Florida man who built an anti-cancer contraption that has a lot of promise as a cure. I've been reading on the web about RFA, but I'm getting only information about the procedure, and I'm blocked from accessing most articles that discuss outcomes, for example. Flori, if you are able to ask about FRA at your next group, that would be great. Thanks.

Joan - here's the reply from my friend...
 

Julie writes:

Yes, I've had RFA twice. I love it!

Liver mets - June 2006
Kidney - March 2007


Rsdio-frequency Ablation (RFA) is a non-invasive procedure that can kill tumors. The simple version of this procedure is that needles (guided by CT scan, ultrasound or an MRI) are placed into the tumor. Then the heat is turned on, which “burns up” and kills the tumor cell. While clean margins are desired, that is balanced with not damaging surrounding areas. Depending on the location of the tumor, particularly if it is near a major artery, the RFA can be very tricky.<O:P></O:P>
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However, during the actual “burning” of the tumor, the patient is completely sedated, either conscious sedation or general anesthesia. The actual placement of the needles, which is critical, takes much longer than the actual “burning”.of the tumor.
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Note that the tumor is not removed during RFA, but ideally, destoryed. After the procedure, there will be scarring, which will show up on future scans. If a tumor recurs, for some patients, it is possible to repeat the surgery.<O:P></O:P>
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In terms of being a candidate for RFA, considerations include size and number of tumors, locations of tumors, whether the metastases are in one location or several among others. Not all hospitals will offer this treatment for breast cancer metasteses, but it’s likely to be an option at major cancer centers.<O:P></O:P>
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Recovery varies among patients. Some are admitted to the hospital for one night; others are released. As a minimally-invasive surgery, the recuperation time is rather quick.<O:P></O:P>

Hi Joan , I too have had rfa in Jna of 06. The proceedure went very smoothly, they even let me out of the hospital early cause I diidnt have any pain. It put me ned for 6 mos. If my spots were small enough today I would do it in a heartbeat. Go for it girl you'll be happy you did.

I think they do it at Johns Hopkins. I'm sure they do it in NYC somewhere.

Thanks again everyone for your input and the additional information.

Also, Flori, I stand corrected about waiting two months for a CT scan. The PET/CT report suggested waiting two months, and my oncologist recommended getting feedback from the thorascic surgeon, which I will do on Thursday. Then I'll have the CT scan. I'm going to ask the surgeon about RFA.

Love you all!

Joan

Hi Joan
 

I had two tumors in my liver for a long time and were controlled with different chemos. When I read about the RFA, I spoke to my surgeon about it and my tumors where fortunately in an area in the liver where it could be performed.

I had the procedure done back in 2003. It took care of those tumors, but with me, two more appeared next to the area that was burned. At this point I decided to have my liver resected in 2004 and the liver has been clean since.

I think Abalation is a great procedure, unfortunate for me it did not quite do the trick but I have read where this use this procedure in the lungs also.

Good luck in your decisions. It is a very non invasive procedure if that helps any.

Research Article from PubMed
 

Hepatogastroenterology. 2007 Oct-Nov;54(79):2069-72.Links
Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of unresectable hepatic malignancies: indication, limitation and results.Hildebrand P, Kleemann M, Roblick U, Mirow L, Birth M, Bruch HP.
Department of Surgery, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. philipphildebrand@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiofrequency-ablation (RFA) is an effective therapeutic option for destruction of irresectable primary and secondary liver tumors and has been successfully performed transcutaneously using sonographic or computer tomographic guidance or by laparotomy. The laparoscopic approach combines a minimal invasiveness with optimal diagnosis. METHODOLOGY: Between 02/2003 and 10/2005, 14 patients with a total of 45 unresectable liver tumors were treated with laparoscopic radiofrequency-ablation in our hospital. Laparoscopic RFA was primarily performed in patients' superficial lesions adjacent to neighboring organs that could be displaced by laparoscopic maneuvers, deep-sited lesions with a very difficult or impossible percutaneous approach and in combination with other laparoscopic operations. RESULTS: All intrahepatic tumors could be detected safely by laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound. Additional liver lesions were identified in 5 (35.7%) of the 14 patients. All 45 tumors of the 14 patients were able to be completely ablated. Laparoscopic RFA yielded no mortality and only one case of postoperative bleeding. During a mean follow-up period of 23.2 months one patient locally recurred, three patients had new malignant nodules and two patients died with disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic RFA is safe and provides a minimally invasive procedure with the option of simultaneous inflow-occlusion during thermoablation. Even more, neighboring organs can be protected, simultaneous resections can be performed and intraoperative ultrasound is used to gain further diagnosis.

PMID: 18251161 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Just posted the above article. Didn't mean to be anonymous. It just happened that way. It looks like a very good procedure. I am so glad to be on this board - get to know all kinds of options = hopes. Thank you, everyone.

I am also considering this procedure for lung mets, so I'm thankful for all the info provided here. It is one of three procedures used by Cancer Centers of America. I am seriously considering going there because of it.

New Procedure
 

Hi,
I have heard of it too. Sounds promising.