Which technique involves the use of extreme heat or freezing to destroy tissue?

Ablation is the technique that involves the use of extreme heat or freezing to destroy tissue. This method is often utilized in various medical contexts, such as in the treatment of tumors or abnormal tissue growth. The process can involve laser energy, radiofrequency, or cryoablation (freezing), all of which aim to precisely target and eliminate unwanted or diseased tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Other choices listed do not relate to this specific technique. Excision refers to the surgical removal of tissue but does not specifically denote the use of heat or cold; it simply involves cutting out tissue. Invasive mechanical ventilation is a procedure used to assist with or replace spontaneous breathing, unrelated to tissue destruction. Pleural effusion describes a condition where fluid accumulates in the pleural space around the lungs, which is a diagnostic or pathophysiological term rather than a technique for destroying tissue.