Ablation Therapy

Ablation Therapy for Cancer Tumor Treatment in Delhi, India

Ablation refers to the process of “destroying” tissue. Ablation therapy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to eliminate abnormal tissue that arises from various clinically abnormal conditions. It is particularly effective for tumors smaller than 3 cm in diameter and can be combined with embolization for larger tumors (1 to 2 inches or 3 to 5 cm in size). However, since ablation often destroys some healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, it may not be suitable for cancers located near critical structures such as major blood vessels, the diaphragm, or bile ducts.

Common Applications of Ablation Therapy

Cardiac or Catheter Ablation : Used to treat heart arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), this procedure aims to restore normal heart rhythm by targeting and destroying areas in the heart responsible for irregular beats.

Endometrial Ablation : This procedure helps women with heavy menstrual bleeding by removing the endometrium, the lining of the uterus.

Cancer Ablation : Ablation techniques are employed to treat tumors in organs like the kidneys and liver when surgery is not a viable option.

Alternate Names of Ablation Therapy

Radiofrequency ablation, cardiac ablation, catheter ablation

Body Location : Heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, thyroid, endometrium, and others.

Ablation Therapy Procedure Type
Minimally invasive procedure

How is Ablation Therapy Performed?
Ablation therapy employs various clinically approved methods to target and destroy abnormal tissue. The commonly used techniques are as follows:

Microwave Ablation : 

A thin probe is inserted through a small incision in the skin, guided by imaging tools such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate the target tissue.
The probe’s tip generates microwaves to heat and destroy the abnormal tissue.
High-Energy Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation

Similar to microwave ablation, this technique uses radiofrequency energy instead of microwaves to ablate the tissue.

Thermal Balloon Ablation : 

A balloon is placed at the target site and filled with a heated fluid, typically at approximately 88°C, to eliminate undesired tissue.

Laser Ablation : 

A laser beam is used to target and treat conditions such as skin discoloration, lesions, or abnormal tissue growth.

Cryoablation

A supercooled probe or device, typically using liquid nitrogen or argon gas to reach temperatures around -15°C, is inserted or applied to the tissue.

The extreme cold creates ice crystals, which rupture and destroy the targeted cells. Effectiveness of Ablation Therapy While ablation therapy offers a minimally invasive alternative for treating certain conditions, it does not guarantee complete or permanent recovery. Recurrence of the condition may occur, depending on the individual case and the patient’s overall health. Nevertheless, this innovative approach has demonstrated an average success rate of over 60-70% in challenging cases.