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What is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?

Radio frequency ablation (RFA) is a medical procedure where the tumor or other dysfunctional tissue is ablated using the heat generated from the high frequency alternating current to treat a medical disorder. An important advantage of RF current (over previously used low frequency AC or pulses of DC) is that it does not directly stimulate nerves or heart muscle and can therefore often be used without the need for general anesthesia.

RFA is performed to treat tumors in lung,liver, kidney, bone and (rarely) in other body organs. Once the diagnosis of tumor is confirmed, a needle-like RFA probe is placed inside the tumor. The radiofrequency waves passing through the probe increase the temperature within tumor tissue that results in destruction of the tumor. Generally RFA is used to treat patients with small tumors that started within the organ (primary tumors) or that spread to the organ (metastatsis). The suitability of a patient to receive RFA is decided by doctors based on multiple factors. RFA can usually be administered as an out-patient procedure, that may at times require a brief hospital stay. RFA may be combined with locally-delivered chemotherapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).



Here, Dr Tony Talebi discusses "What is Radiofrequency Ablation?" with Dr Salsamendi, assistant professor of interventional radiology at the University of Miami.

Dr. Salsamendi credentials:

Assistant Professor Clinical Radiology


Board Certifications
American Board of Radiology-Diagnostic Radiology


Education

New York University Medical Center
New York, NY USA		Fellowship - Vascular Interventional2010
Albert Einstein College of Medicine - Jacobi Medical Center
New York, NY USA		Residency2009
Mount Sinai School of Medicine - Queens Hospital Center
New York, NY USA		Internship2005
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Coral Gables, FL USA		MD2004
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL USA		BS2000