What is percutaneous tumour ablation?
Liver tumours are destroyed by heat (radiofrequency ablation, microwave) or, for lesions close to the bile ducts or pancreatic duct, by electrical pulses (irreversible electroporation — IRE/NanoKnife), via percutaneous image-guided access without surgery.
Why choose this technique?
- It provides targeted local treatment of primary or secondary liver lesions
- It preserves as much healthy liver as possible
- An alternative to surgery with similar efficacy, fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay for tumours smaller than 3 cm
- It is also possible for larger lesions while awaiting surgery or liver transplantation
Who is this method for?
All indications are determined at a dedicated multidisciplinary team meeting (hepatology, digestive oncology, etc.).
- Single or multiple liver tumours smaller than 3 cm (sometimes possible for larger lesions)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases
How does it work?
Short hospital stay (usually 1 to 3 days)
Under general anaesthesia
Percutaneous image-guided puncture (ultrasound, CT scan, cone-beam CT ± fusion of several modalities)
Protective measures are put in place if needed (carbodissection or hydrodissection)
Destruction of the tumour using the method determined by its location and the patient's history
Short post-procedure monitoring
What is the recovery like?
- Moderate pain over the abdominal wall is possible
- Possible but rare complications: haematoma, numbness of the skin near the treated area, exceptional bowel perforation
- Short hospital stay
- Radiological follow-up at 1 and 3 months, then every 3 months by imaging
What to prepare before the consultation
If you are referred by a doctor in our centre, we usually have all the necessary information.
- A recent CT or MRI scan
- Liver work-up
- A summary letter from your doctor
🏥 Rapid diagnosis of liver tumours: a dedicated pathway
Cochin Hospital has a rapid diagnostic pathway for liver tumours, in collaboration with the Hepatology Department of Professor Romain Coriat. If you have a liver abnormality detected on imaging, rapid, coordinated management is possible, including a complete diagnostic work-up, discussion at a hepatology MDT meeting and referral to the most appropriate treatment (surgery, interventional radiology, chemotherapy).
🔗 Hepatology Department — Cochin Hospital → Tel: 01 58 41 42 43🚨 PANCREAS FAST TRACK: rapid diagnosis
Cochin Hospital offers multidisciplinary expertise for the rapid diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. If you have clinical, radiological or biological signs suggesting a pancreatic lesion, you can be referred directly to our specialists:
🔪 Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery
For surgical resection of tumours of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Multidisciplinary care with our interventional team.
chir-digestive-cochin.com →🔬 Gastroenterology & digestive oncology
Pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumours: RENATEN reference centre. Liver tumours (HCC), colorectal cancer, IBD.
Pancreatic cancer → TNE : RENATEN →📄 Patient information sheet
⚡ At a glance — key figures
Liver radiofrequency ablation destroys a liver tumour using heat (90–110 °C) delivered through a needle electrode placed through the skin under ultrasound or CT guidance, with no incision. It is an alternative to surgery for small liver cancers and preserves the healthy liver.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Cancer control | Local recurrence < 5% at 5 years for tumours < 3 cm — comparable to surgical resection |
| Treatable tumour size | Ideally < 3 cm, feasible up to 5 cm (microwave preferred for larger lesions) |
| Indications | Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis, liver metastases (notably colorectal), bridge to transplantation |
| Complications | Uncommon (around 2.4%) vs 22–39% after surgery |
| Liver | Preserved — only the tumour is destroyed, healthy liver is spared |
| Hospital stay | Short (1–2 nights), return to activity within days |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees |
Sources: EASL and BCLC recommendations for hepatocellular carcinoma; large multicentre series. Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
✅ Cost: covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees in our centre.
❓ Frequently asked questions
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.