Tumor ablation offers you a minimally invasive solution to fight cancer without surgery. Guided precisely by imaging, Dr. Gabriel Lipshutz and Dr. Jonathan Steinberger expertly treat cancers of the liver, kidney, lung, prostate, colon, rectum, soft tissue, and bone. At DOCS Interventional Medicine, we’re committed to providing advanced care that brings you comfort and hope.
Eliminate cancer under CT and ultrasound imaging
Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys cancer cells without surgery. Using precise CT and ultrasound-guided imaging, your physician inserts a thin needle directly into the tumor, delivering heat, cold, or electrical energy to eliminate cancerous tissue safely. At DOCS Interventional Medicine, our oncology experts tailor ablation to your unique needs, offering relief from cancers of the liver, kidney, lung, prostate, colon, rectum, soft tissue, and bone—helping you regain health and hope without traditional surgery.
What does tumor ablation treat?
Tumor ablation is highly effective for treating various cancerous tumors precisely and safely. By targeting and eliminating abnormal cells directly, it significantly reduces tumor size, alleviates painful symptoms, and helps you regain your quality of life. Our interventional radiologists use advanced techniques to treat cancers affecting multiple areas of your body, including:
- Liver cancer (primary and metastatic)
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Sarcoma
- Soft tissue and bone cancer
How does tumor ablation work?
Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive approach to treating cancer, using specially designed needles that target and eliminate tumors without traditional surgery. These procedures precisely deliver energy or extreme temperatures to destroy cancer cells directly, preserving surrounding healthy tissues. At DOCS Interventional Medicine, we select the best ablation technique tailored specifically to your type of cancer, tumor location, and personal health needs.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation uses high-frequency electrical currents to generate heat. During RFA, your doctor carefully inserts a thin needle into the tumor, guided precisely by ultrasound or CT imaging. Once positioned, the needle releases energy that heats and destroys cancer cells within minutes. This focused approach effectively eliminates the tumor tissue while minimizing damage to nearby healthy structures, allowing for quick recovery and immediate relief.
Microwave ablation (MWA)
Microwave ablation similarly destroys tumors using intense heat. However, instead of electrical currents, MWA employs electromagnetic waves, like those used in microwave ovens, to rapidly raise the temperature inside the tumor. Because microwaves heat the targeted tissue faster and hotter, this method is especially useful for larger tumors or cancers near blood vessels. MWA provides precise, safe, and effective cancer treatment with minimal discomfort.
Cryoablation
Cryoablation, also called cryotherapy, uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. Your doctor places a specialized needle called a cryoprobe directly into the tumor and then rapidly freezes the area using compressed gas, forming ice crystals within cancer cells. After freezing, the area is thawed and refrozen several times, completely eliminating the tumor. Because cryoablation uses cold temperatures rather than heat, it’s ideal for tumors near sensitive structures.
Advantages of tumor ablation:
- Minimally invasive, no large incisions or surgery required
- Shorter recovery time with fewer side effects
- Highly precise targeting, protecting healthy tissues
- Can be repeated safely if tumors return
- Offers immediate relief from tumor-related symptoms
- Effective alternative when surgery or chemotherapy is unsuitable
- Performed as an outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort
- Rapid return to normal daily activities
What is recovery like after tumor ablation?
After tumor ablation, you’ll experience a much faster and easier recovery compared to traditional surgery. Most patients go home the same day or after a brief hospital stay. You may feel mild soreness or fatigue for a few days, which can be managed with over-the-counter medication. Your doctor will guide you through post-procedure care, and you’ll typically return to normal activities within a week. At DOCS Interventional Medicine, our compassionate team supports you closely during recovery to ensure your comfort.
Schedule your consultation
DOCS Interventional Medicine is dedicated to providing advanced, minimally invasive treatments with exceptional skill and compassionate care. Led by interventional radiologists Dr. Steinberger and Dr. Lipshutz, our expertise is built on over a decade of experience at Cedars-Sinai. We offer sophisticated yet comforting care that prioritizes your health, hope, and quality of life. Here, we don’t just treat conditions—we care for you as a whole person. To learn more about how tumor ablation can help you, schedule your consultation with our team today.
