RITA Medical Systems Announces Third Quarter, Nine-Month Results Release and Conference Call DateMOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RITA Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RITA) today announced plans to release its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004, at 8:55 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, and to host a conference call at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time that same day.

Those interested in listening to the webcast of the RITA conference call may access the webcast via a link provided at the Company's website at www.ritamedical.com. Web participants are encouraged to go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. An online replay of the call will also be available for one year immediately following the broadcast by accessing the same link.

About RITA Medical Systems, Inc.

RITA Medical Systems develops manufactures and markets innovative products for cancer patients including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) systems for treating cancerous tumors as well as percutaneous vascular and spinal access systems. The Company's oncology product lines include implantable ports, some of which feature its proprietary Vortex^® technology; tunneled central venous catheters; safety infusion sets and peripherally inserted central catheters used primarily in cancer treatment protocols. The proprietary RITA system uses radiofrequency energy to heat tissue to a high enough temperature to ablate it or cause cell death. In March 2000, RITA became the first RFA Company to receive specific FDA clearance for unresectable liver lesions in addition to its previous general FDA clearance for the ablation of soft tissue. In October 2002, RITA again became the first company to receive specific FDA clearance, this time, for the palliation of pain associated with metastatic lesions involving bone.

The statements in this news release related to the use of the Company's technology and the Company's future financial and operating performance are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Information regarding these risks is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information please contact: Matt Clawson (investors), Allen &

Caron Inc., +1-949-474-4300, matt@allencaron.com, for RITA Medical Systems, Inc.; or Don Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, dstewart@ritamed.com, or Stephen Pedroff, VP Marketing Communications, spedroff@ritamed.com, both of RITA Medical Systems, Inc., +1-650-314-3400

SOURCE  RITA Medical Systems, Inc.
    -0-                             10/20/2004
    /CONTACT:  Matt Clawson (investors), Allen & Caron Inc., +1-949-474-4300,
matt@allencaron.com, for RITA Medical Systems, Inc.; or Don Stewart, Chief
Financial Officer, dstewart@ritamed.com, or Stephen Pedroff, VP Marketing
Communications, spedroff@ritamed.com, both of RITA Medical Systems, Inc.,
+1-650-314-3400/
    /Web site:  http://www.ritamedical.com /
    (RITA)

CO:  RITA Medical Systems, Inc.
ST:  California
IN:  HEA MTC BIO
SU:  CCA MAV

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6757 10/20/2004 08:55 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com