
St. Alexius Medical
Center is pleased to announce the addition of a new medical
procedure in coordination with its existing imaging services. This
new procedure is radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation is one of the most promising therapies
available to eliminate tumors in organs such as the liver without
surgery. A special needle electrode is placed in the tumor under the
guidance of an imaging method such as ultrasound, computed
tomography (CT) scanning or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Radiofrequency ablation works by passing electrical current in the
range of radiofrequency waves between the needle electrode and the
grounding pads placed on a patient’s skin. The current creates heat
around the electrode inside the tumor, and this heat spreads out to
destroy the tumor but little of the surrounding normal liver tissue.
The
tumor is heated to more than 100 degrees. Images by CT scan, for
example, will show the tumor is killed immediately. The dead tumor
cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue that shrinks over time.
Primary liver cancer and colon cancer that spreads to the liver have
been the two main targets of radiofrequency ablation. Some liver
tumors that have failed to respond to chemotherapy, or which have
recurred after initial surgery, may be treated by radiofrequency
ablation. If there are multiple tumor nodules they may be treated in
one or more sessions.
“Radiofrequency ablation eliminates the need for surgery in some
cases,” says Dr. Shawn Shrawny, Interventional Radiologist
associated with PrimeCare.
“In
other situations where surgery is necessary, it improves the outcome
of surgery. In some cases it has made it possible to operate on a
patient after eliminating several small liver tumors that were too
spread out to remove surgically. Radiofrequency ablation is a
fantastic procedure that is most effective if the tumor or tumors
are less than two inches in diameter.”
St.
Alexius Medical Center is proud to provide this new service to its
patients. For more information about this procedure, please call
701-530-5301 and ask to speak with a radiologist or Amy Hofmann,
Director of Radiology.
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