Radiofrequency thermal ablation of liver tumors: State-of-the-art

Radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation is a promising and rapidly evolving technique for the treatment of liver malignancies. Until few years ago, conventional RF treatment performed with a single monopolar electrode was capable of producing thermal necrosis lesions not greater than 1.6 cm in diameter. Substantial improvements in the RF technique included the development of high-power generators coupled with dual-lumen, cooled-tip electrode needles or expandable electrode needles with multiple retractable lateral-exit jackhooks on the tip. Moreover, angiographically assisted strategies for further increasing the volume of RF-induced coagulation necrosis were devised. Currently, thermal necrosis volumes up to 5 cm in diameter can be obtained with a single-probe insertion, enabling percutaneous ablation of either primary or secondary hepatic malignancies in a single session. in this article, we review the current research and clinical experience with RF ablation for treating malignant hepatic tumors.