High-frequency microwave ablation method for enhanced cancer treatment with minimized collateral damage

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Conventional microwave ablation faces limitations in power and collateral damage.
• Exploring higher frequency spectrums is crucial for improving ablation efficacy and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of high-frequency microwave ablation (above 6 GHz) for low-power, low-collateral damage procedures.
• To develop and evaluate a novel wideband microwave applicator for enhanced tumor ablation.

Main Methods:

• A planar coaxial probe-based applicator was designed for frequencies up to 30 GHz.
• Thermal ablations were performed on human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice using low input power (1-3 W) at various microwave frequencies.
• Comparative analysis of ablation efficiency and thermal profiles at different frequencies (e.g., 2 GHz vs. 18 GHz).

Main Results:

• 18-GHz microwave ablation demonstrated the highest efficacy, with a 20-fold increase in ablation efficiency compared to 2 GHz.
• Significantly reduced collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissues (including fat) was observed at 18 GHz.
• Low-power (1 W) 18-GHz microwave treatment resulted in recurrence-free outcomes in preclinical cancer models.

Conclusions:

• High-frequency microwave ablation, particularly at 18 GHz, presents a promising method for treating small tumors.
• This technique offers minimized invasiveness and reduced collateral damage compared to conventional approaches.
• Further research into 18-GHz microwave ablation could lead to improved cancer treatment strategies.