Current status of local ablative therapies in oncology

Local ablative therapies are image guided minimally invasive therapies, used to treat tumors with transmission of certain types of energy. They can be an alternative to surgical removal, if surgery is not possible, or they can even replace surgery. More and more patients choose them instead of surgery. Most used ones are PEI, RFA, MWA, CA and ECT with different advantages and disadvantages. Image guidance is generally done with ultrasonography or Computed Tomography. Using a navigation system for CT guidance will result in a more accurate therapy. Mainly thyroid, breast, lung, liver and kidney diseases are treated. They are accepted methods in certain diseases, but careful patient selection is crucial for good results. Is is expected that the spectrum of diseases treated is growing in the future.