Radiofrequency ablation of early-stage invasive breast tumors: an overview.
As the management of breast cancer evolves toward less invasive treatments, the next step is the possibility of removing the primary tumor without surgery. The most promising of the noninvasive ablation techniques is radiofrequency ablation, which uses frictional heating that is caused when ions in the tissue attempt to follow the changing directions of a high-frequency alternating current. Three pilot studies, including an ongoing study at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, have demonstrated that radiofrequency ablation is effective for the destruction of small primary breast cancers. The most important factorfor successful radiofrequency ablation is accuracy of the ultrasound evaluation, which is used to estimate tumor size, localize the tumor for treatment, and monitor the progress of the ablation. A study in preparation at M.D. Anderson will determine whether the use of radiofrequency ablation alone for the local treatment of primary breast cancer will result in outcomes equivalent to those obtained with breast conservation therapy.
Singletary
S Eva
SE
Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Fornage
Bruno D
BD
Sneige
Nour
N
Ross
Merrick I
MI
Simmons
Rache
R
Giuliano
Armando
A
Hansen
Nora
N
Kuerer
Henr M
HM
Newman
Lisa A
LA
Ames
Frederick C
FC
Babiera
Gildy
G
Meric
Funda
F
Hunt
Kelly K
KK
Edeiken
Beth
B
Mirza
Attiqa N
AN
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional