HALO radiofrequency ablation
HALO radiofrequency ablation is an endoscopic treatment for Barrett’s 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’s 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’ll 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 The London Clinic.
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’ll 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’re ready to leave The London Clinic, we’ll give you advice to follow at home to help you get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
We’ll also keep in contact with you over the following weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic 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’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
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’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
Radiofrequency ablation involves high-frequency radio waves being used to destroy (ablate) a small area of body tissue.
It’s used to treat several types of cancer and other precancerous conditions.
The HALO technique was developed to specifically destroy abnormal Barrett’s 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’s oesophagus.
You can receive HALO treatment as a day patient, which means you don’t need to stay overnight at The London Clinic.
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’ll 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.