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Cochin AP-HP

🎯 Tumour Ablation Centre — Paris, Cochin AP-HP

Interventional Radiology · Cochin Hospital AP-HP · Paris

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🎯 Tumour Ablation Centre — Paris, Cochin AP-HP

Radiofrequency · Microwave · Cryoablation · Liver · Kidney · Lung · Bone · High-resolution CT guidance

Quick answer

The Tumour Ablation Centre at Cochin AP-HP treats liver, kidney, lung and bone tumours by radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation, under CT guidance. These percutaneous techniques destroy the tumour without surgery, preserving the surrounding healthy organ.

Tumour Ablation Centre — Cochin AP-HP

The Tumour Ablation Centre at Cochin Hospital AP-HP is one of the most advanced centres in France for the percutaneous treatment of solid tumours (liver, kidney, lung, bone, soft tissue). We have access to state-of-the-art guidance equipment allowing ultra-precise targeting and optimised dosimetry for complex procedures.

All ablations are discussed at a multidisciplinary oncology tumour board with surgical, oncology and radiotherapy teams. We treat primary tumours (HCC, cholangiocarcinoma, kidney cancer) as well as liver, lung and bone metastases. 100% covered by French national health insurance, with no patient fees.

Who is suitable?

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 5 cm on cirrhosis, as an alternative to surgery
  • Liver metastases (colorectal, GIST, neuroendocrine) that are unresectable
  • Kidney cancer (clear-cell carcinoma) ≤ 4 cm, stage T1a, as an alternative to surgery
  • Oligometastatic lung metastases
  • Painful bone metastases — palliative ablation
  • Symptomatic benign tumours: renal angiomyolipoma, osteoid osteoma, hepatic haemangioma
  • Local recurrence after TACE or surgery

Our techniques

🌡️ Radiofrequency (RFA)

Reference technique for lesions < 3 cm. Deployable electrode heated to 60–100°C. CT or ultrasound guidance. Can be combined with high-resolution CT guidance for liver lesions poorly visible on ultrasound.

📡 Microwave (MWA)

Faster treatment, larger ablation zone, less sensitive to the heat-sink effect of nearby vessels. Preferred for lesions > 3 cm or peri-vascular lesions.

❄️ Cryoablation

Destruction through freezing cycles (-40°C). Excellent visualisation of the ice ball on CT. Indicated for lesions near sensitive structures (bile ducts, ureter, nerve).

Results

90–95%
Local control, HCC ≤ 3 cm
CT-guided
High-resolution guidance
Tumour board
Multidisciplinary validation

Frequently asked questions

Does tumour ablation replace surgery?
Not systematically: the indication is decided in a multidisciplinary tumour board, based on size, location and number of lesions. For small, accessible tumours, percutaneous ablation offers efficacy comparable to surgery with a shorter recovery.
Which technique should I choose: radiofrequency, microwave or cryoablation?
The choice depends on the organ, the size of the lesion and its proximity to sensitive structures (vessels, bile ducts, nerves). Cryoablation is often preferred near at-risk structures because the ablation zone is better visualised during the procedure.
How many sessions are needed?
Most lesions are treated in a single session. A follow-up imaging scan is scheduled to check for local recurrence; a second procedure may be offered if residual tumour is found.

Related pages

Scientific references

Percutaneous cryoablation in soft tissue tumor management: an educational review

Bodard S, Geevarghese R, Razakamanantsoa L, Frandon J, Pêtre EN, Marcelin C, Cornelis FH. Insights Imaging 2024;15:271.

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: July 2026.

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