Thermal ablation for treating malignant tumors to the liver

Most thermal ablation techniques were initially established for treating inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). In the face of the technical success, ease of use, and relatively low complication rates, the indications for local ablation were rapidly extended and are now established for treating a wide range of primary and secondary liver malignancies. Moreover, its use has been described in virtually all major organs. Several thermal ablation techniques are currently in clinical use, including radiofrequency (RF) ablation, microwave ablation (MWA), and cryoablation. Nowadays new promising nonthermal ablation techniques such as irreversible electroporation are under investigation, but due to the lack of clinical data still have to be considered experimental. Most clinical data deals with radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Therefore this chapter will focus on RF ablation.