Tumor ablation at low frequencies for preferential tumor heating: initial ex-vivo tissue studies.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a common treatment modality for inoperable liver cancer. Several studies have demonstrated that significant differences exist between the electrical properties of tumor and normal tissue, especially at lower frequencies. In this study, we investigated in an ex vivo setting whether the use of lower frequencies during ablation results in preferential heating of tumor tissue.


METHODS
We created a setup consisting of adjacent layers (3 cm thick each) of tumor phantom (agar gel) and freshly excised normal porcine liver tissue in a saline bath. A standard RF needle electrode was placed such that half of the active electrode was in each layer. We applied 25 W of power at a frequency of either 20 or 325 kHz to the electrode for 12 minutes. Temperatures were recorded 6 and 10 mm from the electrode in both the phantom and normal tissue layers.


RESULTS
The ratio of the temperature rise in the tumor phantom to the temperature rise in the normal tissue was significantly higher in the 20 kHz trials after 12 minutes at both 6 mm (1.50+/-0.27 vs. 1.02+/-0.16) and 10 mm (1.34+/-0.28 vs. 0.90+/-0.11) from the electrode (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor ablation at frequencies lower than currently used may preferentially heat tumor tissue, preserving normal tissue at the treatment site.
Schutt
David J
DJ
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Haemmerich
Dieter
D
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000528:radiation effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011846:Radio Waves; D013552:Swine