MWA in medical terms most commonly refers to Microwave Ablation, a procedure used to treat tumors, particularly in the liver.
Microwave Ablation Explained
Microwave ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive technique that utilizes heat generated by microwave energy to destroy cancerous or otherwise abnormal tissue. It's an alternative to surgical removal and other ablation methods like radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
How MWA Works
-
Insertion: A thin needle-like probe is inserted, often under image guidance (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI), directly into the tumor.
-
Microwave Emission: The probe emits microwave energy, creating heat within the tumor.
-
Tissue Destruction: The heat denatures proteins and destroys the targeted cells within a localized area.
-
Monitoring: The procedure is monitored in real-time to ensure accurate and complete ablation of the targeted tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Common Applications of MWA
- Liver Cancer: Primarily used for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic liver tumors.
- Lung Cancer: MWA can be used to ablate small lung tumors.
- Kidney Cancer: It's a potential treatment option for some kidney tumors.
- Bone Tumors: MWA can be used to treat certain bone tumors.
Advantages of MWA
- Minimally Invasive: Smaller incisions, leading to reduced pain and recovery time compared to surgery.
- Repeatable: Can be repeated if necessary.
- Effective: Proven effective in destroying tumor cells.
- Faster Ablation Times: Often ablates tissue more quickly than RFA.
Risks and Complications
Like any medical procedure, MWA carries potential risks, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to surrounding organs
- Pain
- Skin burns at the insertion site
MWA vs. RFA
Both MWA and RFA are thermal ablation techniques. MWA generally offers faster ablation times and the ability to create larger ablation zones compared to RFA, which can be advantageous for treating larger tumors.
In summary, Microwave Ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive treatment option for various tumors that uses microwave energy to destroy abnormal tissue.
