Microwave Ablation works much like a household microwave but on a tiny, precise scale. It uses electromagnetic energy to heat and destroy tumors from the inside out.
Common Indications for Microwave Ablation
Your doctor may suggest this to:
- Treat tumors located in the liver, lungs, kidneys, or bones.
- Treat lesions that are slightly too large for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA).
How is it different from RFA?
While both use heat, Microwave Ablation can achieve much higher temperatures faster. This allows it to create a larger zone of heat, making it slightly more effective for tumors that are close to large blood vessels — which tend to cool down the surrounding tissue during RFA.
What happens during the procedure?
Similar to RFA, the doctor uses CT scans or ultrasound to guide a specialized probe directly into the tumor. When the machine is turned on, the microwaves rapidly heat and destroy the abnormal cells.
Will it be painful?
Because you will receive anesthesia or deep sedation, you will not feel pain during the treatment. In the days following, you might experience an achy feeling around the site, fatigue, or a low-grade fever, which are normal signs that your body is clearing away the treated tissue.
Conclusion
Microwave ablation is a fast, highly effective method for destroying tumors. It provides patients with a reliable alternative to open surgery with the comfort of a very short hospital stay.