Roswell Park offers an innovative treatment option for patients with inoperable liver tumors. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) uses high-energy radio frequency sound waves to “vibrate” tumor cells. When the probe is placed into the tumor, the energy is limited to the immediate region, and does not affect normal tissues surrounding the lesion.

“The alternating current radiofrequency heats and destroys tumors in the liver,” said Boris Kuvshinoff, MD, Department of Surgery at RPCI.  “This technology has a number of advantages in that it has a low complication rate, does not require major surgery and is considered quite safe.”

The most common primary tumor of the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoma. However, many other cancers metastasize to the liver, severely impacting quality of life for those patients. RFA allows physicians to treat patients for whom other options may not be available due to the location or number of tumors. It is also used with patients who have significant health problems who cannot tolerate major surgery.

“For patients who cannot undergo conventional surgery, RFA offers an option to destroy their tumor,” continued Dr. Kuvshinoff. "RFA can be done using a minimally invasive approach and not adversely affect quality of life. For selected patients on chemotherapy, RFA may have an added benefit and may allow them time off from their chemotherapy."