Bile Duct Cancer Ablation Therapy
Learn More About Bile Duct Cancer Ablation Therapy: Chat with Us | Email Us
Ablation Therapy for Bile Duct Cancer
If you are not a candidate for surgery, your care team will discuss your options for ablative techniques at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA).
Ablation therapy is provided to bile duct cancer patients who are not candidates for surgery. This collection of techniques is used to destroy the tumor without removing it. They are appropriate for patients who have few, small tumors and may be combined with embolization in some patients.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency hyperthermic tumor ablation (RFA) uses high-frequency electric current to heat and destroy the cancer cells in the bile duct.
During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a thin, needle-like probe through the skin and into the tumor, guiding it into place with ultrasound or CT scans. Electrical energy is then passed through the tip of the probe, which heats and "melts away" cancerous bile duct tumors. Radiofrequency ablation therapy carries the lowest risk compared to other cancer cell ablation techniques.
Radiofrequency ablation therapy has become a major treatment method for small tumors. This technique may offer faster, more targeted treatment with fewer side effects and shorter hospital stays compared with standard therapies.
Cryoablation
Cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. Guided by ultrasound imaging, your CTCA doctor will place the cryoprobe (metal probe) containing liquid nitrogen directly onto bile duct tumors. This form of bile duct cancer ablation therapy destroys the tumor by freezing it. Cryoblation may be used to treat larger tumors than the other ablation techniques, but it sometimes requires general anesthesia.
Next Topic: Photodynamic Therapy for Bile Duct Cancer
