Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Tumor Ablation (RFA) is a minimally-invasive procedure used to treat small liver, lung, kidney and bone tumors. During an RFA an imaging physician uses a CT scanner--a high-tech version of an X-ray--to locate a tumor and then guide a specialized needle-like probe into it. Radiofrequency waves (like microwaves) are sent through this probe, heating the tumor. Studies have shown that tumor cells can be killed if they are brought to a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (this is less than the temperature in many home water heaters). At the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center our team of highly-trained physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and technologists are led by Peter Julien, MD, and Marc L. Friedman, MD, who head our Radiofrequency Ablation program.

Before Deciding on RFA

If you and your physician decide to have RFA at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center, you need to schedule a consultation with one of our interventional imaging physicians and a nurse practitioner.
They will discuss the procedure with you in detail, including the risks and benefits, and whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. They will answer any question you may have.
If it is determined that this procedure meets your medical needs, the procedure will be scheduled, and you will be given a set of instructions to help you prepare for the procedure.
During the consultation, the nurse practitioner will ask your medical history, including all of the medications you are currently taking and any allergies you may have.
Approximately 1-2 weeks before your procedure, you will be asked to stop any medications that thin the blood. Your primary-care physician will instruct you which medications to stop and when to stop them. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication unless instructed to do so by your physician.
You may need additional blood tests or additional scans prior to the procedure.

Before Coming To Cedars-Sinai Medical Center For Your RFA

Please bring your medications with you, or a detailed list of your medications--including dosage and how often you take the medicine. This includes any over-the-counter medications you may be taking on a regular basis.
You will be staying in the hospital overnight, so bring with you anything that you will need during that time.
You need to arrange for transportation home after your discharge the day after your RFA--you will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
You should not eat anything from midnight before your procedure. You may take your routine morning medications (except blood thinners) with a sip of water.

After Arriving At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

You will check in at the South Tower information desk on Gracie Allen Dr. (across from the Emergency Department.)
From there a nurse will escort you to an observation room.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and will receive a brief clinical assessment (such as current blood pressure, pulse, etc.)

During The RFA

At the appropriate time, you will be transported to the interventional CT scan room where you will be greeted by the radiology nurse, technologist, the interventional imaging physician and the anesthesiologist.
The imaging physician will explain the procedure to you again, including the risks and benefits and answer any questions you may have. You will then be asked to sign a form giving your informed consent for the procedure.
If an IV has not been started, the anesthesiologist will start an IV and speak to you about the medications to be used for pain control and to make you sleepy during the procedure (a state referred to as "twilight sleep.") When treating the lungs, the imaging physician may need you to be able to follow simple instructions such as holding your breath. The medications you will be given will most likely prevent you from remembering anything of the procedure, and pain will be controlled.
You will be placed on the CT scan table and positioned according to the area of your body to be treated. You will be made as comfortable as possible.
Monitoring devices will track your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and amount of oxygen in your blood during the procedure.
You may experience some discomfort during the insertion of the RFA probe. You will not feel pain once the probe is in place and you will not feel any heat during the procedure.
The procedure, from the time you get to the imaging department (CT scan suite) until you return to the Observation Unit, is approximately 2 hours. The actual heating of the tumor will only last about 12-16 minutes. The bulk of the time is used in accurately placing the probe in the correct area to destroy the tumor.

After The Procedure

You will be given another CT scan while still in the procedure room to assess the area that was ablated.
You will then be taken back to the observation unit, where you will stay overnight.
You will be visited by the interventional imaging physician and the nurse practitioner, who will check for complications and see that you are comfortable. You may have post procedure blood drawn and/or X-rays.
Prior to your discharge, the nurse practitioner will arrange follow-up appointments and give you instructions for your recovery. Remember: you will need someone to drive you home from the hospital.

Parking Information

Parking is located in Parking Lot 7 at the corner of San Vicente Blvd. and Gracie Allen Drive (Alden Drive). Enter off Sherbourne Dr.
If you arrive very early, you may park in the South Tower of the Medical Center.
Parking is partially validated and validation is available in the lobby of the S.Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center.
Patients may also be dropped off at the patient drop-off zone in front of the South Tower.