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.
Need answers quickly?
Our Rapid Diagnostics Centre offers fast access to advanced imaging, specialist clinics and on-site testing - helping you get clarity in days, not weeks. Plus, our 24/7 private GP service is here whenever you need urgent advice.
Our charitable purpose
As a charitable hospital, we reinvest in exceptional care, research and innovation - helping us improve healthcare for patients here and far beyond our walls.
Everything you need for your visit
Your Patient Hub brings together everything you need to prepare for your visit, understand your care and know what to expect throughout your stay.
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
HALO radiofrequency ablation consultation at The London Clinic
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.
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.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
Top-rated by real patients
4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.