Russian Scientists Develop Microwave-Based Cancer Treatment
The new system destroys tumors without surgery—using targeted electromagnetic energy to spare healthy tissue.
Russian researchers have created the country’s first prototype medical complex that eliminates tumors through microwave radiation, offering a noninvasive alternative to traditional surgery.
According to project leader Fyodor Kochetov, the system has successfully passed laboratory tests and fulfills its primary goal—replacing imported medical technologies. The team plans to submit the device for registration with Roszdravnadzor, Russia’s health regulator, in 2026.
How It Works
The complex includes an antenna connected to a microwave generator, which emits electromagnetic energy directly into the tumor. As the antenna is inserted into the affected tissue, microwave energy heats water molecules, which in turn transfer heat to nearby cells. When the temperature reaches a critical level, tumor tissue is destroyed, while surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected—a key advantage of the method.
The treatment can be used for breast and thyroid cancer, as well as tumors in the lungs, kidneys, and liver. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes, roughly three times faster than standard surgery, and requires only local anesthesia and a single surgeon.
Kochetov noted that the system is built with 70% domestically produced components and in several performance parameters surpasses foreign analogues.
The innovation represents a major step forward for Russian medical engineering, combining precision, safety, and accessibility—and opening the door to new, less invasive ways of treating cancer.
