BACKGROUND
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small renal tumors has been reported to be effective in patients with poor surgical status. We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes, including renal function, after RFA.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed data of 24 patients with small renal tumors treated by RFA in our institution from January 2007 to November 2012.
RESULTS
A total of 36 tumors (35 renal cell carcinomas and one colon cancer metastasis) with a mean diameter of 21.1 mm (10-45 mm) in 24 patients were treated. Complete ablation was achieved in 22 patients (91.7%). There were two recurrences in other sites of the kidney (8.3%) and two distant metastases (8.3%) during the mean follow-up period of 21 months (1-57 months). No severe perioperative complications were observed. No significant difference in serum creatinine levels before and after RFA procedures in the 22 evaluable patients, nor in seven patients with a solitary kidney.
CONCLUSION
RFA for small renal tumors is a safe treatment with sufficient preservation of renal function, even in patients with a solitary kidney.