The role and limitations of radio-frequency ablation in treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has evolved as an alternative therapy for treatment of certain patients with liver tumors. This novel image-guided intervention is a minimally invasive form of therapy with negligible morbidity. RFA has also been used for treatment of selected patients with renal and lung malignancies who may not be suitable surgical candidates. With the exception of osteoid osteomas, surgical management remains the treatment of choice for primary bone and soft tissue tumors. The role of RFA in definitive treatment of sarcomas has not been investigated. However, RFA has replaced surgery for treatment of osteoid osteomas and can play a role in palliation of painful bone and soft tissue tumors.