Technology & treatment

Irreversible electroporation / NanoKnife

Principle & mechanism

IRE applies electrical pulses through electrodes to damage target-cell membranes. It differs from thermal ablation and still requires specialised planning and anaesthesia.

What informs suitability

Review lesion location, vessels, ducts, metal devices, cardiac factors, and treatment goals. Evidence and uses differ by organ and indication.

Typical pathway

A team plans multiple electrodes, appropriate anaesthesia and monitoring, clinically controlled pulses, and subsequent complication and response assessment.

Risks & evidence limits

Nonthermal does not mean freedom from organ injury, bleeding, arrhythmia, or serious risks. Pancreatic IRE evidence is limited; the cited NICE guidance emphasises research use.

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Original BKC explainers

24 seconds · silent text video

Radiation, ablation, surgery: what differs?

Read the video transcript

Radiation targets a planned area. CyberKnife uses X-rays. It is not surgery with a blade.
Ablation acts on a local target. RFA uses heat from radiofrequency energy. Risks and target location need assessment.
Surgery describes a procedure. Procedure, access approach, and recovery are three different questions.
Start with the care goal. Discuss options and combinations with a doctor, based on diagnosis and patient condition.

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Reading sources

Prepared by BKC editorial, 22 October 2026. General education, not a diagnosis or personal treatment selection. A topic listing does not establish availability at a particular hospital.

Connect the concepts

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Technology & treatment

SEE THEM SIDE BY SIDE

Different names. Understand how they work.

Compare principles, assessment, and evidence limits. A reading tool, not a way to select your treatment.

Concept diagram: Irreversible electroporation / NanoKnife — Irreversible electroporation / NanoKnife

Concept diagram: Radiofrequency ablation / RFA — Radiofrequency ablation / RFA

Read principles, assessment, and risks

Concept comparison, without rankings or recommendations.
Aspect	Irreversible electroporation / NanoKnife	Radiofrequency ablation / RFA
How it works	IRE applies electrical pulses through electrodes to damage target-cell membranes. It differs from thermal ablation and still requires specialised planning and anaesthesia.	RFA uses radiofrequency energy through an electrode to heat target tissue. It differs from radiotherapy, which uses ionising radiation.
What is assessed	Review lesion location, vessels, ducts, metal devices, cardiac factors, and treatment goals. Evidence and uses differ by organ and indication.	Lesion size and position, nearby vessels, access, and organ safety determine planning. Some locations or shapes limit local treatment.
Risks & limits	Nonthermal does not mean freedom from organ injury, bleeding, arrhythmia, or serious risks. Pancreatic IRE evidence is limited; the cited NICE guidance emphasises research use.	Risks include pain, bleeding, infection, and thermal injury near the target. Local ablation does not automatically treat spread elsewhere.

Irreversible electroporation / NanoKnife Radiofrequency ablation / RFA

Schematics are conceptual. Technologies with different purposes are not necessarily alternatives. Open each topic for its sources and context.

Understand more? Bring your questions.

Doctors assess options from the case, beyond a technology name alone.

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