Tumour Ablation

Tumour ablation destroys selected areas of cancer using heat or other energy delivered through precisely placed probes.

A clinician guides a thin probe into the tumour using imaging, then applies a treatment that damages the targeted tissue. Radiofrequency and microwave ablation create heat; other techniques may use cold or electrical pulses. It can be used for carefully selected tumours in organs such as the liver or kidney.

Ablation is planned using scans that show the tumour’s size, position and nearby structures. It may be performed with sedation or general anaesthesia. During the procedure, ultrasound or CT imaging guides probe placement. The team treats the planned area, removes the probe and observes you as the anaesthetic wears off. Some people return home on the same day, while others stay for observation.

Pain or soreness at the probe site, tiredness, nausea and a short-lived feverish feeling can occur. Depending on the organ treated, there can be bleeding, infection, injury to nearby tissue or a leak of air around a lung. Seek urgent care for worsening severe pain, breathlessness, fainting, persistent vomiting, fever with chills, heavy bleeding, or new confusion.

The aim is to destroy the planned tumour area while preserving as much healthy organ tissue as possible. Whether ablation is appropriate depends on the cancer type, number and position of tumours, access route, and the wider treatment plan. Follow-up imaging is essential because it shows whether the treated zone looks complete and whether another local or systemic treatment should be discussed.

Ablation is a local treatment: it treats a defined area rather than cancer throughout the body. It may be used alone, alongside other treatments, or when surgery is not the preferred approach. Your team will explain which energy method is proposed and why.

A multidisciplinary cancer team may consider ablation for selected Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer or Liver Metastases. Suitability is based on the tumour’s location, the amount of remaining healthy organ tissue, scan findings, medical fitness for anaesthesia and previous treatment. Persistent Abdominal Pain has many possible causes and should be assessed on its own symptoms and findings.

You will be given instructions about fasting and medicines, especially medicines that affect bleeding. Imaging is reviewed again on the day. After ablation, staff monitor pain, blood pressure and recovery from sedation or anaesthesia. Arrange for someone to take you home if you are discharged after sedation, and follow the activity restrictions provided by your team.

Recovery differs by the organ treated and the type of anaesthesia. Rest on the day of treatment and resume daily activities according to the discharge plan. Keep the small dressing clean and dry as instructed. Call the treating team if the puncture site becomes increasingly red, swollen, painful or draining fluid.

The procedure carries risks from the probe, the energy source, contrast dye when used, and sedation or anaesthesia. Some tumours are too close to important blood vessels, bile ducts, bowel or other structures for a safe probe route. Tell the team about allergies, kidney problems, implanted devices and medicines that affect clotting.

Alternatives can include monitoring, systemic treatment, radiation treatment or surgery. Liver Resection removes a liver segment, while Kidney Removal Surgery removes part or all of a kidney when surgery is selected. The best fit depends on the tumour and your overall health.

Bring recent scan reports, pathology results and a list of medicines. Ask which ablation method is proposed, what anaesthesia is planned, how follow-up imaging will be arranged, and which symptoms mean you should contact the service urgently. You can also ask how the Radiofrequency Ablation System is used during the procedure.