What is the effect of thermal ablation on tissue?

Thermal ablation is a process that utilizes heat to destroy tissue, primarily by denaturing proteins. When heat is applied to biological tissues, it causes proteins to lose their natural structure and function, leading to irreversible changes such as coagulation and cell death. The high temperatures typically used in thermal ablation can effectively disrupt cellular integrity, resulting in necrosis of the targeted tissue.

This process is particularly useful in medical applications such as tumor ablation, where the goal is to eliminate abnormal tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy cells. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for medical practitioners as it directly influences the outcomes of procedures that employ thermal ablation techniques.