Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) by Cancer Type: Latest Results

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) began as a needle treatment for liver cancer and is now used for kidney cancer, lung cancer and lung metastases, spinal bone metastases and some thyroid cancers. In a 2026 study from Mie University in Japan, 62 kidney cancers up to 3.9 cm treated with RFA showed a 10-year local tumor control rate of 91.6% and a 10-year cancer-specific survival of 97.4%. At MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US, pain clearly improved at 81% of treated spinal levels in 335 patients with spine metastases.

Based on five Japanese and US papers published in 2025 and 2026, this article brings together where RFA is used for each cancer type, what recent results show, and what patients should check.

RFA by cancer type at a glance

In RFA, a thin electrode needle is placed into the tumor under CT or ultrasound guidance, and heat from radiofrequency current destroys the tumor. The principle is the same in every organ, but precautions and results differ. The table groups recent overseas findings by cancer type.

Study populations and designs differ, so the numbers should not be compared directly.

Kidney cancer: 10-year results from Japan

A radiology team led by Masashi Fujimori at Mie University treated 60 patients with 62 biopsy-proven kidney cancers by RFA between 2002 and 2014, and published the results in 2026 in Interventional Radiology, the English journal of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology. Tumors measured 1.0 to 3.9 cm (median 2.3 cm), and about one third were centrally located. Median follow-up was 9 years.

Fujimori M, et al. Interventional Radiology 2026;11:e2025-0113.

Four tumors regrew at the treated site; three of them were treated again with RFA or cryoablation and showed no further growth, giving a 10-year secondary control rate of 97.9%. The first session completely ablated 53 of 62 tumors (85.5%), and a second session completed the rest. There were no procedure-related deaths or grade 3 or higher complications. Minor complications occurred in 27 of 69 sessions (39.1%), mostly small retroperitoneal hematomas.

In 45 patients not on dialysis, median eGFR changed from 65.7 to 58.6 at one year. No patient with chronic kidney disease stage 1 to 3 before RFA progressed to stage 4 or 5. The authors concluded that RFA is safe and contributes to long-term prognosis in small kidney cancer. Long-term freezing results are covered in kidney cancer cryoablation long-term results.

Lung cancer and lung metastases

Patients often ask whether lung RFA will affect their breathing. A team at Aichi Cancer Center compared lung function before and after RFA in 21 patients (10 primary lung cancers, 11 lung metastases) and reported in 2026. Median tumor size was 12 mm.

Hasegawa T, et al. Interventional Radiology 2026;11:e2025-0050.

Lung function dipped slightly within two months and returned to baseline a few months later. Heavy smokers (Brinkman index above 500) had a slightly larger early FEV1 dip (91.2%), so the authors advise closer care for them.

The Mie University group also followed 52 patients with bone or soft-tissue sarcoma lung metastases who had 209 lung RFA sessions, publishing in the International Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2026. Technical success was 100% and technical efficacy 99.5%. Among 27 patients whose visible lung metastases were all treated, 5-year survival was 51.4% and median survival 96.7 months. Local progression was only 8% for tumors under 2 cm, favoring early treatment. Pneumothorax occurred in 64% of sessions, and about half of those were managed with a chest tube. See the lung cancer RFA guide for the procedure and recovery.

Bone metastases: spinal pain relief

Spinal metastases often cause pain and vertebral fractures. RFA can destroy the tumor, and bone cement can then be injected at the same level to stabilize the vertebra (vertebral augmentation). MD Anderson Cancer Center's interventional radiology department reported results for 335 patients and 638 spinal levels treated from 2017 to 2020 in Radiology: Imaging Cancer in 2025.

Stringam J, et al. Radiology: Imaging Cancer 2025;7(3), doi:10.1148/rycan.240122.

Pain was reassessed 2 to 4 weeks after the procedure. The authors concluded that the combination is safe and effective for spinal fractures in cancer patients. Eligibility and the procedure are covered in bone metastasis pain ablation.

Thyroid cancer: a US outpatient report

Thyroid RFA was first widely used for benign nodules and is now expanding to small, low-risk papillary cancers. Researchers from thyroid clinics in Utah and California reported 22 patients with low-risk papillary cancer treated in an outpatient endocrinology setting in 2026. Most tumors were 1 cm or smaller (12) or 1 to 2 cm (9).

Ahmad S, et al. Clinical Medicine Insights: Endocrinology and Diabetes 2026;19.

Treatment without admission and preservation of the thyroid were cited as benefits, and the authors called for larger long-term studies. A comparison of RFA and microwave for benign nodules is in thyroid nodule RFA vs microwave.

Liver cancer: the longest-established use

Liver cancer is where RFA was first and most widely used. In a Japanese multicenter randomized trial, 5-year survival for small liver cancers (up to 3 cm, up to 3 tumors) did not differ between RFA and surgery. See how radiofrequency ablation works for the numbers, and liver cancer RFA procedure and recovery for the hospital stay. For tumors over 3 cm, embolization followed by RFA is also used (TACE plus RFA).

Where it is offered in Japan and abroad

Foreign patients are usually not covered by the local public insurance, so check costs and schedules directly with the hospital.

The responsible department differs by organ. Kidney, lung and bone RFA is usually done by interventional radiology, while thyroid RFA is often handled by endocrinology or thyroid clinics. Knowing which department to contact speeds up an overseas consultation. See the IVR overview and RFA overview.

What patients should check

• Can my tumor's size and location be treated with RFA in one session?
• What are the advantages for me compared with surgery, cryoablation or radiotherapy?
• How will kidney or lung function be monitored after the procedure?
• If the treated site regrows, can RFA be repeated?
• How long is the stay, when are follow-up CT scans, and when can I fly?

To prepare, see five questions before an RFA consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Which cancers can radiofrequency ablation treat?

It is mainly used for small liver and kidney cancers, and also for lung cancer and lung metastases, pain from spinal and other bone metastases, and some low-risk papillary thyroid cancers. Results are generally better for smaller and fewer tumors. Suitability is decided by doctors who review the imaging.

Does kidney cancer RFA last over the long term?

In Mie University's 10-year study, the 10-year local control rate for kidney cancers up to 4 cm was 91.6%, or 97.9% including repeat treatment. The 10-year cancer-specific survival was 97.4%.

Will lung RFA make breathing harder?

In the Aichi Cancer Center study, lung function dipped to around 97% of baseline for one to two months and then recovered to baseline (vital capacity 100.2%) within months. Former heavy smokers need slightly closer care during recovery.

Can RFA help bone metastasis pain?

In MD Anderson's study of 335 patients with spinal metastases, pain clearly improved at 81% of levels treated with RFA plus vertebral augmentation, with major complications at 0.6%.

This article summarizes overseas research as general information and is not medical advice. Please discuss treatment choices with doctors who have examined the patient.