What is radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer?

  Radiofrequency ablation therapy for liver cancer is a minimally invasive treatment method for liver cancer that is widely used in clinical practice.  The principle of liver cancer radiofrequency ablation is that radiofrequency electrodes are inserted into the tumor through ultrasound and other imaging techniques, and the liver tissues between the electrodes impede the conduction of electric current after being energized, thus generating heat, just like the resistance wire of an electric heater will heat up after being energized. The local lesion generates high temperature because of the radiofrequency energy, which eventually causes the tumor to coagulate and necrosis and inactivate. Radiofrequency ablation treatment for liver cancer is widely used in clinical work because this minimally invasive treatment method has less impact on liver function and the whole body of the patient.  In clinical practice, radiofrequency ablation therapy for liver cancer is very suitable for patients with severe cirrhosis, as well as patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease who are unable to tolerate normal surgical treatment. However, not all liver cancer patients are suitable for radiofrequency ablation treatment, and radiofrequency ablation treatment should be limited to the size of the tumor. Generally, liver cancer with diameter below 3cm can be eliminated by radiofrequency ablation therapy, and the ablation effect is close to the effect of surgical resection. If the tumor is located between 3-5cm, the ablation effect is inferior to that of tumors smaller than 3cm, and often requires multiple needles and multiple ablations. If the diameter is larger than 5cm, the chance of completely killing the tumor will be greatly reduced, and radiofrequency ablation treatment for liver cancer is generally no longer recommended.  Compared with the anhydrous alcohol injection used in the past, radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer is thermal ablation, which can ablate the tumor more completely and with better effect, and is also one of the radical treatments for liver cancer.