Cryoablation - Renal Cryoablation

Renal Cryoablation

Renal cryoablation is moderately effective in smaller tumors found in the kidney and adrenal gland. In 2010, Aron, et al., presented the culmination of an 8-year study on the results of renal cryoablation and finding an overall cancer recurrence rate of 14%. Klatte, et al. (2011), and Davol, et al. (2006), also presented similar results of 11% and 13% cancer recurrence rates, respectively. Finally, as summarized by Russo(2011) via the American Society of Clinical Oncology:

"Following cryoablation, 11% of patients with RCC (Renal Cell Carcinoma - Kidney Cancer) developed local recurrence after a median duration of 14 months (range 6-18 months). In these patients, salvage nephrectomy was performed and revealed vital clear cell RCC . In contrast, there were no local or systemic recurrences following open partial nephrectomy. The 3-year recurrence-free survival probabilities following laparoscopic renal cryoablation vs. open partial nephrectomy were 83% vs. 100%, respectively (p=0.015). Perioperative complications and renal functional outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation and open partial nephrectomy are similar; however, laparoscopic cryoablation confers a substantially higher local recurrence risk of about 15% after 3 years. Therefore, laparoscopic renal cryoablation should be reserved for high risk patients with decreased life expectancy."

Recent publications on Small Renal Masses and Renal Cryoablation can be found via: Cryoablation.org