SEER Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Operations Practice Exam 2026 - Free CTR Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

Radiofrequency ablation involves the application of heat energy to destroy abnormal tissue, such as tumors. During this procedure, radiofrequency waves generate heat as they pass through the tissue, effectively causing localized thermal injury to the targeted area. This heat-induced damage leads to cell death and ultimately helps in the treatment of certain conditions, primarily cancerous tumors.

Heat energy is the most accurate description of what is utilized in this treatment, making it the correct answer. The procedure harnesses the concept of thermal ablation, where the heat directly impacts the cells, allowing for precise destruction of unwanted tissue while sparing surrounding healthy cells.

Other forms of energy mentioned in the other choices do not apply to radiofrequency ablation: ultraviolet light is primarily associated with skin treatments and sterilization processes; radioactive rays pertain to radiation therapy, which works differently; and specialized radio waves, while they form part of the broader radiofrequency spectrum, do not specifically capture the essence of the thermal energy utilized in ablation procedures. Therefore, focusing on heat energy aligns perfectly with the mechanism of radiofrequency ablation.