Bone tumor ablation utilizes minimally invasive procedures to destroy cancerous or unhealthy bone tissues. By applying different forms of energy such as radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation directly to the tumor sites, these techniques deliver ablative therapies as an alternative to traditional surgical resection or chemotherapy. Some key advantages of bone tumor ablation include reduced trauma, blood loss and recovery time compared to open surgeries.

Types of Ablation Technologies

There are several technologies available for Bone Tumor Ablation Devices ablation depending on the type, size and location of the tumor. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) employs high-frequency alternating current to create localized heat and induce coagulative necrosis in tumors. Microwave ablation (MWA) uses electromagnetic microwaves as the energy source for fast tissue heating through molecular agitation. Cryoablation freezes the tumor using extreme cold produced byliquid nitrogen injection probes.

Microwave Ablation for Aggressive Bone Lesions

MWA is particularly effective for treating large, advanced or aggressive bone tumors located close to sensitive structures where larger ablation zones are essential. Microwaves at 915-2,450 MHz penetrate deeper into tissue and produce rapid intracellular heating through molecular vibration. MWA probes can generate larger ablation volumes of 5 cm or more in a single insertion. This makes it ideal for fungating tumors or those recurring after previous therapies. However, heat sink effects from blood flow need to be accounted for. Ongoing technical improvements currently enable real-time monitoring and variable power delivery for optimizing heat distribution with MWA.

Cryoablation of Complex Anatomical Sites

Cryoablation employs extreme cold instead of heat to treat tumors. Liquid nitrogen injection through small needles inserted into tumors causes intracellular ice crystal formation, resulting in mechanical and osmotic injury leading to necrosis. Advantages of cryoablation include clearly demarcated iceball formation visible on imaging for accurate treatment, hemostasis of vessels in the ablation zone and ability to protect sensitive adjacent structures by using iceball shape manipulation. These features make cryoablation appealing for tumors located near nerves, blood vessels or joints. However, longer procedure times and unpredictable ice-ball size are limitations. Ongoing research optimizes probe design for maximized and controlled cooling effect.

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