The RFA process follows three key mechanisms:

1. Ionic Agitation → Heat Generation
2. Protein Denaturation → Cell Death
3. Tissue Collapse → Shrinkage or Absorption

1. Ionic Agitation – Heat Generation

• When RF energy is applied through an electrode, it creates a rapidly alternating electric field in the tissue.
• Charged ions (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) within the extracellular and intracellular fluid begin to vibrate and oscillate due to this high-frequency field.
• This rapid movement of ions causes friction, which generates heat inside the tissue.
• The temperature rises (typically 60–100°C), initiating thermal damage.

 Effect: Produces controlled heating within the target tissue without affecting surrounding structures significantly.

2. Protein Denaturation – Cellular Destruction

• As the temperature increases beyond 60°C, proteins within the cell begin to denature (lose their natural structure).
• This leads to:
   Enzyme inactivation → Disrupts cellular metabolism.
   Membrane disruption → Cell walls lose integrity.
   Coagulative necrosis → The tissue becomes non-functional and starts breaking down.

 Effect: The targeted cells lose function and die, preventing abnormal tissue from growing or spreading.

3. Tissue Collapse – Structural Breakdown

• After the proteins denature, the affected tissue shrinks and dehydrates, leading to:
   Closure of blood vessels → Stops further blood supply (used in vein ablation).
   Fibrotic scar formation → The body absorbs dead tissue over time.
   Loss of abnormal function → Effective for tumors, Hemorrhoids & Anal Fistule , nerve ablation (pain management), and varicose veins.

 Effect: The damaged tissue collapses, shrinks, or gets resorbed, completing the ablation process.

RFA for Tumors (Breast, Liver, Kidney, Lung, Bone, Thyroid, etc.)

Working Mechanism:

• A thin probe (electrode) is inserted into the tumor under ultrasound, CT, or MRI guidance.
• Radiofrequency energy heats the tumor to 60–100°C, causing coagulative necrosis.
• The tumor cells die, and the body gradually absorbs or scars off the tissue over time.

 Effective for: Liver Tumor, Breast Tumor, kidney Tumor, lung nodules, bone tumors, thyroid nodules.
 Advantage: Minimally invasive, quick recovery, and can be repeated if needed.