title: Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: the complementary roles of the clinic and research nurse.
abstract: This article describes a clinical research protocol designed to determine the value of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for the treatment of histologically proven primary or metastatic liver cancer. RFA is a localized thermal technique that destroys tumor tissue. The research protocol is described, including enrollment criteria, performance of RFA, and the follow-up necessary to ascertain protocol success or failure. The complementary and collaborative roles of the research nurse and clinic nurse in carrying out the RFA protocol are described.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatory Treatment Center, University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Melliza
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woodall
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000451:nursing* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000451:nursing* / Q000601:surgery*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D011859:Radiography; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome