Liver tumour ablation

What liver tumour ablation is

Ablation destroys tumour tissue in place using a probe placed inside the lesion under imaging guidance. For liver tumours, two thermal methods are widely used:

• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) passes a high-frequency current through an electrode, generating frictional heat that causes coagulative necrosis in the surrounding tissue.
• Microwave ablation (MWA) uses an antenna that radiates microwave energy, agitating water molecules to produce heat. Microwave systems can create larger ablation zones more quickly and are less affected by the heat-sink effect of nearby blood vessels.

Both are typically performed percutaneously, through the skin, and can be a day-case or short-stay alternative to resection for selected patients. The choice between RFA and microwave depends on tumour size, location, proximity to vessels, and operator preference, and is a clinical decision made by the treating physician.

Procedure workflow

A typical percutaneous liver ablation follows a consistent pattern that the equipment is built to support:

• Planning. The tumour is located and sized on ultrasound or CT, and an access path is chosen that avoids major vessels and adjacent organs.
• Probe placement. The electrode or antenna is advanced into the lesion under real-time imaging, with the goal of covering the tumour plus an ablative margin of surrounding tissue.
• Energy delivery. The generator delivers a controlled ablation cycle while the operator monitors the developing ablation zone on imaging. Internally cooled electrodes and cooled antennas keep the probe tip from charring and help deliver energy efficiently.
• Confirmation. Imaging is used to confirm coverage of the target and margin before the probe is withdrawn, often with track ablation to reduce bleeding and seeding risk.

Equipment we supply

Technoray Healthcare is an authorized distributor for the platforms used across both methods:

• RF Medical MyGen, a multichannel RFA generator with internally cooled electrodes for liver and abdominal ablation.
• STARmed VIVA RF system with internally cooled electrodes.
• Canyon MaxBlate microwave ablation generators (KY-2100A and KY-2000A) with cooled antennas.

See specifications and request a quote on the RFA systems and microwave ablation pages.

Why Technoray

We support each system through its full working life:

• Installation and commissioning at your hospital, with safety and electrical checks.
• Applications training for interventional radiologists, surgeons, and biomedical staff on probe handling and console workflow.
• Service and maintenance, including preventive maintenance visits and annual maintenance contracts.
• Consumables resupply for electrodes and antennas, with tender and procurement support for public-sector buyers.

Read about our service and support and tender support, or see all procedures we equip.

Frequently asked questions

When would a team choose microwave over RFA?

Microwave ablation is often preferred for larger tumours or lesions near large vessels, where its larger and faster ablation zone and reduced heat-sink sensitivity can help. RFA remains widely used and well established. The choice is made by the treating physician based on the individual case.

Can one department run both RFA and microwave?

Yes. Many interventional teams keep both options available. We can quote RFA and microwave platforms together and align the consumables resupply for each.

What support comes with the system?

Installation, applications training, preventive maintenance, and consumables resupply are all part of the package, with annual maintenance contracts available.

This information is for healthcare professionals and does not constitute medical advice; clinical decisions rest with the treating physician.