Several people have asked about the technique of radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, for lung tumors. RFA is a pretty specialized approach in which a needle probe is inserted through the skin, under visual guidance using a CT or ultrasound, to go directly into a tumor. The tip is then pushed out and splays into a shape like the frame of an umbrella, and then an electric current is turned on to superheat the tip of the probe. In some cases, the probe is moved around to cover a broader area and destroy a larger tumor, but the procedure works particularly well for smaller tumors.