Has your doctor mentioned a treatment called 'Ablation Therapy'? Or have you heard this word somewhere and wondered what this new treatment is? When you hear the name, it sounds like something big and complicated, but it is actually a very simple, non-invasive, and very effective treatment for many diseases. Today, we will talk about this from the beginning in a simple way that you can understand.

What is Ablation Therapy?

Simply put, ablation therapy is the use of extreme heat or extreme cold to destroy (ablate) some of the disease-causing, unwanted cells in our bodies. Think of it like picking out some weeds and removing them, this method targets and destroys only the cells that are causing problems in our bodies.

The biggest advantage of this is that it is not a major open surgery. This means that the treatment can be done without making a large incision in the body, through a small hole, sometimes even through the skin. Therefore, it helps to heal faster, reduce pain, and reduce the length of stay in the hospital compared to a regular operation.

There are two main types of Ablation Therapy:

There are two main methods of performing this treatment. They are using heat and using cold. Let's take a look at both of them.

What diseases is Ablation Therapy used for?

This treatment method is used for many ailments in our body. Some of them are:

Cancer

This method is used to treat many types of cancer. In particular, it is very effective in removing precancerous tissue, which can lead to skin cancer or cervical cancer. This means that this method can destroy the cells that cause cancer before it develops . It is also used to treat some types of prostate and kidney cancer.

Heart rhythm problems

For people with arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats, a treatment called cardiac ablation is used to restore a normal heartbeat. This procedure destroys a small section of the heart's cells that are causing the irregular heartbeat.

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Some women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). This condition can be treated with a procedure called endometrial ablation, which destroys part of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This can reduce the amount of heavy bleeding during menstruation.

Chronic pain

This method can also help control some long-term pain. It can reduce pain by destroying specific nerve cells that cause or increase pain.

Seizure disorders

This method is also used to treat conditions such as epilepsy. This condition is caused by abnormal electrical activity in cells in a certain part of the brain. Ablation can target and destroy only the cells that cause that abnormal activity.

Varicose veins

A procedure called endovenous thermal ablation is also used to treat varicose veins. This involves heating the problem vein from the inside and sealing it off. This allows blood flow to return to healthy veins.

How should I prepare before this treatment?

The preparation you need to do will vary depending on the type of ablation therapy you are having. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about this. It usually includes things like:

• Fasting: You may be asked to abstain from food and drink for a few hours before treatment.
• Medication Awareness: You should tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, as well as any supplements you are taking. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications for a few days before treatment.
• A ride home: You may not be able to drive yourself after treatment, so make sure you have someone to drive you home in advance.

What happens during treatment?

This will also vary depending on your condition and the part of your body being treated, but in general, these are the steps to follow:

1. Anesthesia

You may be given local anesthesia to numb only the area being treated. Or, for some complex treatments, you may be given general anesthesia to put you completely to sleep. Then you won't feel any pain.

2. Inserting the device from the surface of the skin

The doctor will make a small puncture or incision in your skin. Then, the ablation device is inserted through the puncture. This device is usually a rod with thin wires (probes). It is through these wires that extreme cold or heat is sent to the area where the diseased cells are located.

3. Directing to the right place

To guide the device to the right place inside the body, the doctor uses an imaging test. That is, a scan that allows you to see inside the body in real-time. This can be done using a device like an ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, or a laparoscope. This allows you to target only the problem cells and avoid damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

What are the benefits of Ablation Therapy?

This treatment method has many advantages over regular open surgery.

• Faster healing: Since there are no large incisions, there is less pain, less bleeding, and faster healing.
• Shorter hospital stay: Some treatments can be done on an outpatient basis. Even for complex treatments, the hospital stay is as short as a day or two.
• Small scars: Since there are no major incisions, only a small scar is left on the body.
• With other treatments: If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, this ablation treatment can be done at the same time as other treatments, such as chemotherapy.

Are there any risks and side effects of this treatment?

Ablation therapy is generally a very safe treatment. The risks are very low compared to major surgery. However, as with any medical treatment, there are some minor risks.

How long does it take to heal?

Recovery time varies depending on the type of ablation you had. Sometimes you can get back to normal in a few days, and sometimes it can take a few weeks.

After treatment, you may be asked to stay home and rest for a few days, not going to work or school. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about things like:

• How to prevent infections (maybe you should take antibiotics).
• Medications to control pain.
• Avoid lifting weights for a while (sometimes they say not to lift more than a few kilos).
• When can exercise and other physical activities be resumed?

If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately!

If you experience any of these symptoms when you go home after treatment, you should call your doctor immediately .

• Excessive bleeding: If there is a lot of bleeding from the treatment site.
• Severe pain: If you have severe pain that cannot be controlled even with prescribed painkillers.
• Nausea and vomiting: If nausea and vomiting continue.
• Symptoms of an infection:
• Fever.
• If a pus-like fluid is oozing from the treated wound.
• If the skin around the wound is red, discolored, swollen, or feels warm to the touch.

Ablation therapy may sound a little scary when you hear the name. But it is actually a very safe and effective method that can treat many diseases. Sometimes this method helps to destroy dangerous cells before they become a serious disease. If you have any questions about this, don't hold anything back, ask your doctor and explain everything. He will explain everything in a way that is right for your situation.