Guide To Colon Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment Options

Radiofrequency Ablation

Colon cancer patients often need radiofrequency ablation to treat their cancerous tumor. Radiofrequency ablation is a method where high-energy radio waves are used to destroy tumor cells. Radiofrequency ablation is performed by using an ultrasound or CT scan on a patient to help the surgeon guide a thin probe through the skin and to the malignant tumor. Once the probe is in place, high-frequency radio waves are carried by an electric current to the tip of the probe in the patient's tumor. When the radio waves reach the tumor tissues, it causes damage to the small blood vessels that feed the growing tumor cells. Without blood flow, the tumor tissues experience what is known as coagulative necrosis, or cellular death from lack of blood supply. Radiofrequency ablation is commonly used in conjunction with surgery to treat colon cancer to destroy areas of the tumor that may have spread to other organs and tissues not removed during surgery.