P站视频

Ablation is treatment that destroys (ablates) liver tumors without having surgery to remove them. Types of ablation for liver cancer include histotripsy, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryotherapy, and ethanol injections?.

When is ablation used for liver cancer?

Ablation techniques can be used for people with a few small liver tumors, especially when surgery is not a good option because of poor health or reduced liver function. Ablation is best used for tumors no larger than 3 cm across (a little over an inch). For slightly larger tumors (1 to 2 inches, or 3 to 5 cm across), it may be used along with embolization.

Ablation is less likely to cure liver cancer than surgery, but it can still be very helpful for some people.

These treatments are also sometimes used in people waiting for a liver transplant.

Because certain types of ablation often destroy some of the normal liver tissue around the tumor, they might not be a good choice for treating tumors near major blood vessels, the diaphragm, or major bile ducts.

How is ablation done?

Ablation for liver tumors can often be done without surgery, so people getting this type of treatment typically do not need to stay in a hospital. Ablation might be done using an ultrasound machine or CT scan to help guide where the treatment needs to be given. Sometimes, though, to be sure the treatment is aimed at the right place, ablation is done in the operating room with either laparoscopy or a surgical incision (cut) in the skin over the belly, while the person is under general anesthesia (in a deep sleep).

What is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver cancer?

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses high-energy radio waves to heat and destroy tumors. RFA uses a thin, needle-like probe that is inserted through the skin and moved forward until the end of the probe is in the tumor. Ultrasound or CT scan is used to guide the probe into place. Once it is in place, an electric current is passed through the tip of the probe. This heats the tumor and destroys the cancer cells.

What is microwave ablation (MWA) for liver cancer?

In microwave ablation (MWA), imaging tests are used to guide a needle-like probe (antenna) into the tumor. Electromagnetic microwaves are then created at the tip of the probe to heat to destroy the tumor.

What is cryoablation (cryotherapy) for liver cancer?

Cryoablation destroys a tumor by freezing it using a thin metal probe. The probe is guided into the tumor, and then very cold gasses are passed through the probe to freeze the tumor, which causes the cancer cells to die.

This technique is sometimes used along with surgery to remove part of the liver. It isn’t used as often by itself as RFA or MWA are, as it tends to be a more complex procedure.

What is ethanol (alcohol) ablation for liver cancer?

This is also known as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI). Concentrated alcohol is injected directly into the tumor to damage cancer cells. Sometimes several treatments of alcohol ablation are needed.

This technique is used less often than RFA or MWA, although it might be helpful in some situations where it would be hard to use those other approaches.

What is histotripsy for liver cancer?

Histotripsy is a newer type of ablation treatment for liver tumors. It uses an ultrasound machine to aim strong, focused sound waves through the skin to the area that needs treatment. The sound waves break down the tumor's tissue and turn it into liquid, so this is sometimes described as liquefying the tumor.

Unlike other types of ablation, histotripsy does not require anything to be inserted into the body. It works by directly damaging the tumor's tissue, which helps protect the healthy tissue and cells around the tumor.

Side effects of ablation therapies

Possible side effects after ablation therapy can can vary depending on which treatment is used and other factors, but they might include:

• Skin irritation where the treatment is given

• Abdominal pain (especially with PEI)

• Bleeding

• Infection in the liver

• Fever

• Abnormal blood tests of liver function

Serious complications aren’t common, but they are possible.

Newer ablation techniques to treat liver cancer are also being studied.