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RF Chemotherapy: Principles, Benefits, and Drawbacks

rf chemotherapy cancer treatment rf energy medical application radio frequency

This page describes RF Chemotherapy and how it works. It covers the working principles, benefits, and drawbacks of RF Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy: The use of any drug or medicine to treat any disease is known as Chemotherapy.

RF Chemotherapy: The use of microwave energy or RF energy with appropriate power to treat diseases, mainly cancer, is known as RF Chemotherapy.

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum spans from radio frequency waves to microwave frequencies, ultraviolet frequencies, visible light frequencies, infrared frequencies, x-rays, and gamma rays.

Radio Broadcast Transmission

Figure-1 depicts EM spectrum showing radio frequency (RF) range.

RF Energy has many applications, such as wireless communication, cooking, and medical domains.

Radio frequency (RF) energy at a carrier frequency between 13 to 27.12MHz is known as shortwave diathermy. It is widely used for therapeutic medical applications.

RF Energy Waveforms

Figure-2: RF Energy Waveforms

There are two main types of RF spectrums viz. continuous RF and pulsed RF. Continuous delivery of RF energy to tissue leads to an increase in tissue temperature. This is used for the therapeutic delivery of deep heat.

Delivery of pulsed RF energy to the tissue can allow dissipation of heat between pulses. Pulsed RF energy has a wide range of therapeutic applications or uses. It is well-tolerated due to the non-invasive nature of the application.

How RF Chemotherapy Works

RF ablation

RF ablation

Let’s understand the steps involved in the working of RF Chemotherapy:

  • In this method, affected cells are subjected to RF energy waveforms with appropriate frequency and power as per the equipment’s manual.
  • The microwave frequency increases the heat of the tissues or cells. Cancerous cells usually have a higher temperature than normal cells.
  • The RF energy application to cancerous cells will increase its temperature above the normal temperature of 37 degrees C. The cells will die due to this application.
  • This method doesn’t have as many side effects compared to normal chemotherapy and ionizing radiation.