This review examined the use of radiofrequency ablation as a treatment for breast cancer.

Surgical treatments for breast cancer have become less invasive over time, in hopes of preserving the healthy breast tissue surrounding the tumor. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, and often a great deal of healthy tissue must be removed in order to fully remove the cancerous tissue. A noninvasive technique, radiofrequency ablation, uses a probe to heat cancerous tissue to over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, causing the death of cancer cells. As the heat dissipates and it moves away from the probe, healthy tissue is spared. Currently this treatment has been successfully tested in liver cancers, and research has started examining its usefulness in breast cancer. The current review focuses on the studies that have used radiofrequency ablation in breast cancer patients.

Ten of the 22 studies reviewed examined radiofrequency ablation use immediately prior to surgical resection. In 8 of the 10 studies, radiofrequency ablation was 76% to 100% successful at killing cancer cells. Five further studies examined radiofrequency ablation with surgical resection that was delayed by up to 2 months. These studies reported 86% to 100% cancer cell death due to the treatment. The final 7 studies examined the effect of radiofrequency ablation as the primary treatment, not followed by surgery. Of the 125 patients followed in these studies, all but 3 were found to have no active cancer cells. Five of the patients experienced a recurrence (return of the cancer) within 50 months following the ablation. The most commonly reported complications were skin burns (5% of patients) and burns to the muscle tissue (5% of patients).

This study concluded that radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective, and less-invasive procedure for the treatment of breast cancer.

Follow-up times for most studies were relatively short, and recurrences were not always reported. It is difficult to determine from the studies reviewed the long-term risk of recurrence.

Consult with your doctor about the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency ablation versus surgery in your situation.