Thermal ablation, or heat, has been used in medical procedures for over a decade. This method of destroying unwanted tissue has been used to treat cancerous lesions or tumours in the liver, lung, kidney, prostate and bone. Thermal ablation has also been used in cardiac and gynaecological procedures. Traditional methods of thermal ablation have been laser ablation and radio frequency. More recently, the advanced method of microwave ablation has come into wide use.

Here are some more common questions and their answers:

What are microwaves?
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves that have wave lengths ranging from a few millimetres to few centimetres. They form part of the electromagnetic spectrum. You may be familiar with more commonly known electromagnetic waves such as radiowaves, x-rays and, of course, visible light, which contains the rainbow of colours that our eyes can see.

Can I see microwaves?
No, microwaves themselves cannot be seen. Our eyes are only sensitive to the range of visible light frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic waves with frequencies lower or greater than visible light are invisible to the naked eye. However, the effects of microwaves can be seen.

Find out how our Acculis Microwave Tissue Ablation system treats soft tissue.