Advantages and Limitations of Ablative Techniques Most Frequently Used in Liver
| Parameter | RFA | MWA | Cryoablation |
| Mechanisms of action | Oscillating electric current (ions) | Dielectric hysteresis (water) | Joule Thompson (Argon gas) |
| Range of temperature obtained | ±100°C | >100°C | −170°C to 0°C |
| Performance of imaging monitoring | Low | Mid (gas formation) | High (ice ball) |
| Margins | Large | Sharp | Sharp |
| Collagen | Injured | Injured | Respected |
| Size of ablation | <3 cm | <3–5 cm | <5 cm |
| Mean length of procedure | 15 min | 10 min | 30 min |
| Cost | Low | Mid | High |