Number of Procedures Increased 1.6 Times in Five Years
Comparable to Surgery in Effectiveness, with Fewer Complications
The Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure performed by the Department of Radiology at Chosun University Hospital (Director Kim Jin-ho) is showing high satisfaction among patients.
According to Chosun University Hospital on the 3rd, radiofrequency ablation, mainly performed for small liver and kidney cancers, is a treatment method in which a needle-shaped electrode is inserted into or around the tumor tissue, and the high heat generated by passing radiofrequency current destroys the cancerous tissue.
Radiofrequency ablation has proven to be so effective that it is considered before surgery for liver cancers smaller than 2 cm, and for liver cancers measuring 3 to 5 cm, a combination therapy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation is being performed.
In particular, since it can be applied to all organs such as the chest, abdomen, and lymph nodes, it is performed not only for liver cancer but also for kidney, thyroid, and lung cancers, showing good results.
A research team led by Professor Kim Jinwoong, a leading expert in Korea with experience in more than 2,500 cases of radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer, metastatic liver cancer, and kidney cancer at Chosun University Hospital's Department of Radiology, analyzed the results of combination therapy with transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation over the past 10 years. The analysis showed that the treatment effect was similar to surgery, while complications were fewer, allowing for faster discharge.
Professor Kim Jinwoong's research team has published several papers on this topic in renowned international journals over the years, and with their extensive clinical experience and efforts, they are recognized for their technical expertise and professionalism in the field of radiofrequency ablation.
At Chosun University Hospital, Professor Kim Jinwoong, along with Professors Song Sang-guk, Hong Junhyeong, Yoon Eunju, and Kim Jeongmyeong from the Department of Radiology, are actively performing radiofrequency ablation and image-guided biopsies.
In addition to traditional areas such as the liver, kidney, breast, and thyroid, biopsies are also being conducted throughout the body, including the lungs, pancreas, bile ducts, and lymph nodes around major blood vessels.
Amidst these activities, the research and efforts of the Department of Radiology faculty at Chosun University Hospital for patient treatment are being reflected in measurable results.
The number of radiofrequency ablation procedures increased from 63 cases in 2019 to 101 cases in 2024, a 1.6-fold increase, and the number of biopsies performed using ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and angiography increased from 201 cases in 2019 to 948 cases in 2024, a nearly fivefold increase over the past five years.
Professor Kim Jinwoong (Head of Radiology) said, "At the Department of Radiology at Chosun University Hospital, we have actively performed radiofrequency ablation and image-guided biopsies, accumulating a wealth of clinical data, and have shown fewer complications and better treatment outcomes than average. In particular, radiofrequency ablation for liver and kidney cancers is advantageous for preserving organ function compared to resection surgery, and patients recover faster after treatment."
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