Microwave tumors ablation: principles, clinical applications and review of preliminary experiences.
Local ablative techniques have been developed to enable local control of unresectable tumors. Ablation has been performed with several modalities including ethanol ablation, laser ablation, cryoablation, and radiofrequency ablation. Microwave technology is a new thermal ablation technique for different types of tumors, providing all the benefits of radiofrequency and substantial advantages. Microwave ablation has been applied to liver, lung, kidney and more rarely to bone, pancreas and adrenal glands. Preliminary works show that microwave ablation may be a viable alternative to other ablation techniques in selected patients. However further studies are necessary to confirm short- and long-term effectiveness of the methods and to compare it with other ablative techniques, especially RF.
Carrafiello
Gianpaolo
G
Department of Radiology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. gcarraf@tin.it
Laganà
Domenico
D
Mangini
Monica
M
Fontana
Federico
F
Dionigi
Gianlorenzo
G
Boni
Luigi
L
Rovera
Francesca
F
Cuffari
Salvatore
S
Fugazzola
Carlo
C
D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome