Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used minimally invasive treatment for non-surgical hepatocellular carcinoma. This review synthesizes the technical principles, core components, and key modeling aspects of RFA. RFA induces tumor necrosis via Joule heating from ionic vibration. Electrode needle design critically impacts ablation efficacy and safety, with multipolar needles offering larger zones yet posing power and tissue risks. Crucially, biological tissue parameters exhibit dynamic spatial and thermal variations, necessitating nonlinear modeling for accurate temperature prediction. While the Pennes bioheat model remains mainstream for its simplicity, more advanced models (e.g., porous medium) enhance physiological realism. Thermal damage assessment commonly employs the Arrhenius model and isothermal thresholds, aided by real-time monitoring for intraoperative precision. Future research should prioritize the development of smart electrodes, creation of personalized tissue parameter databases, and exploration of multi-energy techniques to shift RFA from an “empirically oriented” approach to an “accurate prediction” paradigm, ultimately improving hepatocellular carcinoma patient survival and quality of life.