Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma

• Published in: Clinical Radiology Vol. 58; no. 12; pp. 905 - 913
• Main Authors: Lui, K.-W., Gervais, D.A., Arellano, R.A., Mueller, P.R.
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Catheter Ablation - methods; Humans; interventional radiology; Kidney Neoplasms - surgery; Kidneys; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Neoplasm Staging - methods; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; radiofrequency ablation; renal cell carcinoma; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tumors of the urinary system; radiofrequency ablation; renal cell carcinoma; interventional radiology; Sonography; Kidney disease; Human; Urinary system disease; Radiodiagnosis; Interventional radiology; Treatment efficiency; Malignant tumor; Radiofrequency; Ablation; Kidney; Percutaneous route; Echography; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Technique; Small cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-9260(03)00222-8

Small renal cell carcinomas of less than 4 cm diameter have been detected increasingly in asymptomatic patients because of the widespread use of cross-sectional imaging. Radical or partial nephrectomy is generally considered the reference for the treatment of a solitary renal cell carcinoma. However, for those patients who are not candidates for surgery, minimally invasive procedures may be desirable. Although percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma is a recent innovation, the results of preliminary clinical series and animal studies are encouraging, and show it to be technically feasible with minimal morbidity. In this article, we review the technique, indications, imaging findings, as well as the results of clinical and animal studies of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.