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Radiofrequency Ablation for Cancer

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 12, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

Radiofrequency ablation for cancer is a treatment that kills cancer cells using heat.

During radiofrequency ablation, a needle is inserted into a tumor and cancer cells are "cooked" using radiofrequency energy.

Radiofrequency ablation is sometimes used in inoperable lung cancer to destroy part of the cancer and relieve symptoms. This method is less invasive than surgery.

Also Known As: RFA

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