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What We Do > Vascular & Interventional Procedures > Oncological Interventional Therapies |
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RFA heat deposited by placing a metal probe into the center of the tumor. The metal probe is guided into the tumor by using imaging guidance (CT scan and Ultrasound). This procedure is performed by experienced Interventional Radiologists and may be used to treat tumors in the lung, liver, kidney, abdomen, and bone. |
In general, RFA is considered a viable and effective treatment option if you:
- Are not a good candidate for surgery or wish to avoid surger
- Have a tumor less than 5 centimeters in diameter or have only a few small tumors
- Have tumors that have not responded to chemotherapy, or have recurred after initial treatment (surgeryl, radiation)
RFA is also utilized to provide relief when a tumor invades surrounding tissue and causes pain and is considered a minimally invasive treatment for different types of cancer tumors. The benefits of RFA include: no skin incision, minimal hospital stay, and minimal pain. The alternative to RFA may be surgery, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, chemoembolization, or no treatment at all.
For more information on preparing for Radiofrequency Ablation:
- Talk with your oncologist, radiation oncologist or surgeon to refer you for a consultation. You may also contact us directly at our VIP office at 352.333.7(VIP).
PRE-OP:
- Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
- Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medications, or if you are on any blood thinners, including Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox, Plavix or over-the-counter medications such as Aspirin, as these will need to be stopped prior to the procedure.
- Tell your physician if you are, or could be, pregnant.
- You will need to have your blood tested in order to determine your liver and kidney function prior to the procedure.
INTRA-OP:
- This sterile procedure uses ultrasound and CT guidance to image the tumor.
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia by an anesthesiologist. Local anesthetic will also be applied to the site of interest.
- You will be positioned on the CT scanner and once under anesthesia, a needle-like RFA probe will be placed inside the tumor.
- Radiofrequency waves will then be passed through the probe, increasing the temperature within the tumor tissue, resulting in destruction of the tumor.
- After RFA is complete, the needle will be removed, and a sterile dressing is applied.
- The procedure typically takes between 1 to 3 hours to complete.
POST-OP:
- After the procedure, you will be admitted to the hospital overnight for observation and pain control.
You may feel relaxed or sleepy as you recover from the anesthesia and your throat may be sore from the breathing tube. - Once discharged home from the hospital, you may resume your normal activities.
- If you develop fever, bleeding or severe pain contact our office at 352.333.7(VIP) or call your referring physician. After hours or on week-ends, go to the nearest emergency room or call North Florida Regional Medical Center at 352.333.4000 and ask for the Radiologist on Call.
- Generally, You will need to return for a follow-up CT or MRI scan at one month to determine the success of the procedure.
Chemoembolization
Chemoembolization is a minimally invasive treatment for certain types of liver tumors. During the procedure, small plastic particles impregnated with chemotherapy, are injected directly into the artery that feeds the tumor(s). This treatment results in tumor destruction by eliminated it's blood supply and administering high dose chemotherapy adjacent to the cancer cells.
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The procedure is typically used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer), or metastasis (secondary liver cancer) to the liver from other types of cancers. Some liver metastases treated are: neuroendocrine including carcinoid, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, melanoma, breast, colon, etc. Chemoembolization may be used alone, or in combination with other treatments such as systemic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or radiofrequency ablation. |
Chemoembolization is generally though of as a palliative therapy (non-curative). However, in the appropriately selected patients, it can prolong survival and potentially help with adverse symptoms of cancer.
For more information on preparing for Chemoembolization:
- Talk with your oncologist, radiation oncologist or surgeon to refer you for a consultation. You may also contact us directly at our VIP office at 352.333.7(VIP).
PRE-OP:
- Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to your procedure.
- Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any allergies to medications, or if you are on any blood thinners, including Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox, Plavix or over-the-counter medications such as Aspirin, as these will need to be stopped prior to the procedure.
- Tell your physician if you are, or could be, pregnant.
- You will need to have your blood tested in order to determine your liver and kidney function prior to the procedure.
INTRA-OP:
- This sterile procedure uses fluoroscopic (“live x-ray”) guidance.
- The procedure itself is not painful, however light sedation medications will be administered through an IV in order to prevent any discomfort. Local anesthetic will also be applied to the skin overlying the groin.
- You will be positioned on the x-ray table and a wire and catheter will be inserted into the large artery that runs through the groin.
- X-ray images will be taken with contrast dye in order to visualize the artery that feeds the tumor.
- Once positioned appropriately, the chemotherapy beads will be painlessly injected into the vessel.
- After injection is complete, the wire and catheter are removed, and a sterile dressing is applied.
- The procedure typically takes between 1 to 3 hours to complete.
POST-OP:
- After the procedure, you will be admitted to the hospital overnight for observation and pain/nausea control.
- You may feel relaxed and sleepy as you recover from the sedation.
- Typically, patients may feel some pain/cramping at the site of the tumor, as well as mild nausea and at times, a low-grade fever.
- Once discharged home from the hospital, you should be able to resume your normal activities within 1 week.
- If you develop fever, bleeding or severe pain contact our office at 352.333.7(VIP) or call your referring physician. After hours or on week-ends, go to the nearest emergency room or call North Florida Regional Medical Center at 352.333.4000 and ask for the Radiologist on Call.
- You will need to return for a follow-up CT or MRI scan at one month to determine the success of the procedure.
- Most tumors require more than one treatment with chemoembolization. The procedure may be safely repeated many times over the course of many years as long as it remains technically possible and you remain healthy enough to tolerate the procedure.
Vascular & Interventional Procedures
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Spinal and Joint Injection Procedures
Vascular & Interventional Physicians
6685 NW 9th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32605
Phone: 352.333.7VIP (7847)
Direct Spine Line: 352. 313. 6873
Fax: 352.333.0990
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
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Vascular & Interventional Procedures Diagnostic and Therapeutic Spinal and Joint Injection Procedures |
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