Although radiofrequency ablation (RF) is accepted as the best therapeutic choice for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma when liver transplantation or surgical resection are not suitable options, it is still performed only in a few hospitals and experience is so far limited (Goldberg & Ahmed, 2002; Shiina et al., 2005). In addition, RF ablation is emerging as a viable alternative to surgery for inoperable patients with limited hepatic metastatic disease, especially from colorectal cancer. Although radiofrequency ablation has been accepted as a safe and effective treatment for liver and kidney tumours, there are few studies addressing periprocedural pain.