Microwave Ablation
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Topics: Service Lines, Technology Assessment, Planning, Strategy, Technology Assessment, Methodologies, Performance Improvement, Interventional Oncology, Oncology, Surgical Oncology
What is it?
Microwave ablation (MWA) is an interventional therapy in which microwave energy is precisely emanated into a cancerous lesion, heating and killing tumor cells while largely sparing the surrounding tissue. It can be performed as an open surgical or minimally invasive procedure.
How does it work?
A surgeon (in open procedures) or interventional radiologist (in laparoscopic or percutaneous treatments) inserts one to three probes into the center of a tumor. Using a 915 MHz or 2.45 GHz generator, microwaves are channeled through the probe(s) directly into the tumor. The microwave energy agitates water molecules in the tissue, quickly raising cell temperatures above 50oC and ablating the tumor.
What problem does it solve?
MWA works similarly to its thermoablative cousin, radiofrequency ablation. However, because MWA uses an electric field instead of current it has several theoretical advantages, including higher intratumoral temperatures, shorter ablation times, larger and more predictable ablation zones, and the lack of a need for grounding pads that can cause skin burns. These benefits remain largely theoretical due to the early state of the clinical literature.
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