What Is Microwave Ablation?

When surgery isn’t the right option, whether due to tumor location, health status or personal preference, microwave ablation offers a powerful alternative. This minimally invasive treatment uses heat energy to destroy tumors in the liver, kidneys and lungs without large incisions or a long hospital stay. At the Orange County Interventional Radiology Center in Lake Forest, Irvine and Mission Viejo, CA, our board-certified interventional radiologists use advanced imaging technology to target tumors precisely while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.

Microwave ablation is a nonsurgical procedure that uses electromagnetic energy (microwaves) to generate intense heat within tumor cells, delivered by a thin, needle-like antenna. Because tumors are generally more sensitive to extreme temperatures, this approach eliminates abnormal growths while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

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How Does Microwave Ablation Work?

The technology behind microwave ablation is similar to what heats your food at home, just precisely controlled for medical use. The energy causes the water molecules inside cells to vibrate rapidly, generating intense heat through friction. This heat builds quickly to destroy targeted tumors while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue largely unaffected.

Microwave ablation is able to create consistent, predictable treatment zones. Unlike older ablation techniques that can be limited by blood flow or tissue type, microwave energy penetrates uniformly, even in challenging areas like lung tissue or tumors near large blood vessels. Physicians can also use multiple antennas at once to treat larger or irregularly shaped tumors in a single session, giving them flexibility that other approaches don’t offer.

Who Is a Candidate for Microwave Ablation?

Microwave ablation involves less risk, pain and downtime than traditional surgery, making it a suitable option for most patients. It can treat both large and small tumors with a high level of accuracy. Microwave ablation may be right for you if:

  • You have tumors in the liver, kidney, lung, thyroid or bone
  • Your tumors are considered unresectable due to location, number or your overall health
  • Comorbidities make traditional surgery too risky
  • Previous treatments haven’t controlled tumor growth
  • You prefer a less invasive approach with a faster recovery

Your care team at the Orange County Interventional Radiology Center will evaluate your specific situation to determine whether microwave ablation, either alone or combined with other therapies like chemoembolization or radiation, offers the best path forward.
What to Expect During Treatment

What to Expect During Treatment

Microwave ablation is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. After administering local anesthesia and light sedation, your interventional radiologist makes a small puncture in the skin and inserts a needle-like microwave antenna using image guidance. Once in position, the antenna heats the tissue to high temperatures, destroying the tumor cells. After the tumor is destroyed, the antenna is removed, and a bandage is applied to the insertion site.

Microwave Ablation Recovery

Most patients return home within a few hours of their procedure. You may experience mild discomfort, fatigue or a low-grade fever for the first day or two, which are all normal responses as your body processes the treated tissue. Over-the-counter pain medication typically manages any discomfort, and most people resume their regular activities within two to three days.

Follow-up imaging, usually a CT scan or MRI, will be scheduled to confirm complete tumor destruction and monitor for any signs of recurrence. Some patients may require additional ablation sessions depending on their treatment goals and tumor response.

Take the First Step Toward Relief

At the Orange County Interventional Radiology Center, we bring advanced training and the latest technology to every procedure. If you’re facing a cancer diagnosis and want to explore nonsurgical treatment options, we’re here to help you understand your choices. Contact us at (949) 317-1633 to schedule a consultation and discuss if microwave ablation is right for you.

Our Locations

Three Locations, One Commitment: Your Care

Lake Forest

29300 Portola Parkway, Suite B
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Mission Viejo

26921 Crown Valley Parkway, #120
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Irvine

18102 Sky Park Circle South, Suite D
Irvine, CA 92614
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed