Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: the complementary roles of the clinic and research nurse

Abstract

This article describes a clinical research protocol designed to determine the value of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for the treatment of histologically proven primary or metastatic liver cancer. RFA is a localized thermal technique that destroys tumor tissue. The research protocol is described, including enrollment criteria, performance of RFA, and the follow-up necessary to ascertain protocol success or failure. The complementary and collaborative roles of the research nurse and clinic nurse in carrying out the RFA protocol are described.