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Radiofrequency Ablation

  

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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