Microwave Ablation

Microwave ablation places one or more probes into a tumour under ultrasound or CT guidance. Electromagnetic energy agitates water molecules and generates heat, creating a planned zone of tissue destruction.

It is used most often for selected liver, lung, kidney, bone or other tumours when local ablation is appropriate. Tumour size, number, position, visibility and distance from vulnerable structures affect suitability.

Risks can include pain, bleeding, infection, thermal injury to nearby organs, collapsed lung for chest procedures, bile-duct injury in the liver and incomplete ablation or recurrence.

Assessment uses contrast-enhanced imaging, pathology, staging, blood count and clotting tests, organ function and anaesthetic review. The interventional radiologist plans a safe needle path and ablation margin.

Microwave ablation can be curative-intent for selected small local tumours, used with surgery or systemic therapy, or used for symptom relief. It is not a substitute for appropriate systemic treatment when disease is widespread.

This procedure does not prevent cancer and is not screening. Surveillance imaging after ablation is important to assess the treatment zone and detect residual or recurrent disease.

Why is microwave ablation preferred over surgery, radiofrequency ablation, radiation or observation? What margin is planned? What organ-specific complication risks and follow-up scans apply?

• NCI Dictionary: Thermal ablation
• RadiologyInfo: Tumor Ablation