What does RFA mean in MEDICAL PHYSICS

What It Is

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a type of minimally invasive image-guided medical intervention that uses radio waves emitted from a cannula-like instrument called an ablator to create an electrical current within targeted tissue. This electrical current produces heat, which destroys the targeted cell or tissue through thermal ablation, or cauterization. RFA is generally used for treating soft tissue tumors or affected areas such as organs, glands, nerves, and vessels associated with diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and chronic pain.

Benefits

The use of RFA offers many potential advantages over surgery including quicker recovery time, less risk of infection and complications since no incision is made during the procedure, reduced risk of scarring and nerve damage since only one area needs to be treated at a time, and improved outcomes due to improved accuracy when targeting smaller tumors or tissue changes. Additionally, RFA can be used in coordination with other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy to enhance their effectiveness and reduce side effects while delivering all treatments at once.

How Is It Done

During an RFA treatment session, the patient lies on his/her stomach while connected to anesthesia that helps them stay calm throughout the process so they don’t feel any discomfort. Once they are comfortable and ready for treatment, a doctor inserts a thin needle containing an RF generator into their body near the target area(s). The generator sends out controlled high-frequency electricity pulses which create localized heat in order to destroy cells that cause illnesses like cancer while leaving surrounding healthy cells unharmed. Once completed, doctors then bandage up the insertion site and monitor it until it heals completely over several days or weeks following treatment.