HALO radiofrequency ablation
HALO radiofrequency ablation is an endoscopic treatment for Barrett鈥檚 oesophagus. It involves the use of high-frequency radio waves to accurately destroy pre-cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells.
Quick facts
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
To treat Barrett鈥檚 oesophagus
Treatment overview
HALO radiofrequency ablation treatment uses high-frequency radio waves to destroy cancerous or damaged cells.
This type of treatment is carried out during a standard endoscopy, where the organs inside your body are looked at using a digital camera attached to the end of a long, thin, flexible tube called an endoscope.
HALO radiofrequency ablation treatment usually takes less than an hour. You鈥檒l receive a sedative or light general anaesthetic to relax you and ease discomfort during the procedure.
World-leading consultants who are highly experienced in using HALO radiofrequency ablation will oversee your treatment at AOA体育平台.
Before your treatment, your dedicated care team will guide you through what to expect, talk about your recovery plan and answer all your questions.
As one of our patients, you鈥檒l also benefit from exceptional personalised care that meets your needs.
Your recovery and wellbeing are at the heart of your experience with us.
Once you鈥檙e ready to leave AOA体育平台, we鈥檒l give you advice to follow at home to help you get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
We鈥檒l also keep in contact with you over the following weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Why choose AOA体育平台
Excellence in one place
AOA体育平台, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Supported by the latest treatments, expert guidance, and a comfortable recovery environment in our patient rooms, you'll have everything you need to regain your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. We鈥檒l be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs, including healthy and delicious meals designed to support your recovery. We keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it鈥檚 your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve.
What's included in your package?
Choosing AOA体育平台 means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That鈥檚 why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our .
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you鈥檙e paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more .
FAQs
Radiofrequency ablation involves high-frequency radio waves being used to destroy (ablate) a small area of body tissue.
It鈥檚 used to treat several types of cancer and other precancerous conditions.
The HALO technique was developed to specifically destroy abnormal Barrett鈥檚 oesophagus cells that can develop in the lining of the oesophagus.
These abnormal cells look different, so they can be easily recognised by looking through the camera on an endoscope.
The HALO technique involves an endoscope being passed into your oesophagus.
A small balloon is placed where the abnormal cells are and high-intensity radio waves are passed through the balloon.
This causes intense heating, but only in the region very near to the surface of the balloon.
The abnormal cells are killed, but nearby normal, healthy cells are left unharmed.
After treatment, your surgeon will remove the precancerous cells (dysplasia) and the part of your oesophagus affected by Barrett鈥檚 oesophagus.
You can receive HALO treatment as a day patient, which means you don鈥檛 need to stay overnight at AOA体育平台.
Most people require two or three HALO treatments over a few months to clear the abnormal cells.
Sometimes, HALO radiofrequency ablation needs to be combined with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), if your surgeon sees nodules (swellings) in the lining of your oesophagus.
EMR is a procedure to remove precancerous cells, early-stage cancer or other abnormal tissues (lesions) from the digestive tract.
After being treated with HALO radiofrequency ablation, your recovery will depend on how healthy you were before your HALO procedure.
You鈥檒l usually experience a little chest discomfort and difficulty swallowing for a week or so. And you may feel sick for a few days.
For 1 in 15 people, HALO treatment may lead to a narrowing of the oesophagus, but this can be treated with another endoscopy procedure.
People with Barrett's oesophagus should continue to take their standard acid-suppressing medicine after treatment.
These include PPIs, like omeprazole, or heartburn medicines which will help to prevent symptoms of acid reflux.
After your HALO treatment, make sure to attend your regular check up appointments in case you need further treatment.