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Our expert surgeons offer the latest techniques in minimally invasive ablation surgery.
Telehealth appointments are available.
Ablation surgery is a minimally invasive surgical approach used to destroy tumors by “burning” or “freezing” them. This approach may be used if your tumor is no larger than 3 centimeters (a little smaller than the size of a ping-pong ball) or if surgery is not a good option for you. Ablation (meaning to destroy) is performed by inserting a needle or thin probe into the tumor through the skin. The needle or probe is guided by ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging.
Ablation is a common treatment for lung cancer as well as liver and kidney (renal) cancers. Other cancers can also be treated using ablation surgery, provided they are accessible and of an appropriate size.
For patients with lung cancer, lung ablation is performed by a highly skilled radiologist who uses a CT-guided probe – either a cryoprobe to freeze or a microwave probe to burn cells – to precisely target and destroy lung cancer tumors and cells, with minimal impact to the surrounding healthy lung tissue. Ablation is an effective lung cancer treatment option for smaller lung cancer lesions, and due to its lung-preserving qualities, it can also be leveraged to treat and destroy multiple lung cancer tumors and lesions at different times over the course of a comprehensive lung cancer treatment plan.
For patients with intra-abdominal tumors, expert urologic surgeons perform ablation using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The HIFU ablation system enables surgeons to penetrate the abdominal cavity with keyhole cuts to eliminate tumors 4 centimeters or less.
We are consistently ranked as a top cancer hospital by U.S. News & World Report.
We offer you a single source for preventive cancer care, diagnostics, treatment and survivorship, so you can easily navigate your care.
We are an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, giving you access to more clinical trials and innovative therapies.
LOS ANGELES — Keck Hospital of USC has been named a top performer in the 2024...