Radio-frequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma: Early clinical experience

PURPOSE: To report the authors' early experience with radio-frequency (RF) ablation of renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four percutaneous RF ablation treatments for nine tumors were performed in eight patients with renal cell carcinoma. Ind ications included coexistent morbidity, previous surgery, or solitary kidne y in patients with a life expectancy shorter than 10 years. Smaller (less t han or equal to 3-cm) peripheral lesions (n = 3) were treated with single e lectrodes. All but one of the larger (> 3 cm) and/or central lesions (n = 6 ) were treated with cluster or multiple electrodes. Patients returned for a second treatment when follow-up imaging depicted tumor enhancement. Follow -up imaging was performed at 1 and 3 months and then at B-month intervals, with a mean follow-up of 10.3 months. Seven patients were alive at least 6 months after their initial treatment. RESULTS: All five exophytic tumors were free of enhancement. One of three c entral tumors was free of enhancement. One tumor had both central and exoph ytic components and was free of enhancement. Three tumors were 3 cm or smal ler and free of enhancement. Of the six tumors larger than 3 cm, four were free of enhancement. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RF ablation is a promising treatment for select pa tients with renal cell carcinoma. The ultimate role of this modality will c ontinue to evolve and warrants further study.