The target radiofrequency ablation (also written t-RFA ) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating severe pain and discomfort caused from metastatic tumors in the spinal cord. This procedure uses radio frequency energy to target and obscure certain spinal tumors, causing it to shrink and reduce pressure on the nerves and surrounding tissues. This procedure minimizes damage to the spine and surrounding tissue. It is used as a palliative therapy rather than for the purpose of treating cancer itself.
Video Targeted radiofrequency ablation
Histori
The radiofrequency ablation target was first developed by DFINE, Inc., a medical equipment company based in San Jose, California. The product, STAR Ablation Tumor System received 510 (k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration in August 2010. It was cleared for sale in the US and CE was marked in Europe. This procedure was first performed at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center located at Louisville Hospital University in March 2012.
Maps Targeted radiofrequency ablation
Procedures
Target radiofrequency ablation is not a treatment for cancer, but it is used for pain management. Usually the outpatient procedure uses local anesthesia through a small incision. t-RFA uses a small, controllable device that is placed into the vertebrae, navigated by the doctor to the targeted tumor. Doctors can then send energy to heat and destroy metastatic spine tumor cells. This procedure minimizes damage to surrounding tissues and vital structures and has been shown to provide pain relief in a single treatment.
Benefits
A 2013 study published in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery showed that t-RFA is an effective method of pain relief with low morbidity. Patients in the study also reduced the requirements of painkillers after receiving treatment and also regained the ability to perform movements they previously restricted because of the pain. Another 2013 study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology showed that patients who received the procedure had reduced the pain in which traditional treatment methods did not work. A third study published in 2013 showed that t-RFA allows treatment of lesions that are not controlled by radiation therapy or systemic therapy. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology showed a decrease in tumor volume and metabolic activity in all 34 patients receiving treatment.
The ability to provide localized T-RFA from spinal metastatic lesions can provide rapid and lasting pain relief, allowing patients to restore their quality of life with minimal delay, if any, in their major systemic curative cancer therapies. Compared with radiation, which often requires multiple visits, this procedure provides patients with pain relief from metastatic spine tumors in a single minimally invasive treatment. The STAR system potentially minimizes additional VCFs due to radiation-related bone fragility as well as the side effects of radiation.
This procedure can be performed in addition to chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other ongoing therapies to treat primary cancer which often allows the patient's tolerance to continue their therapy.
See also
- Spinal tumor
- Invasive surgical procedure
- Management of interventional pain
References
External links
- STAR Tumor Ablation System
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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