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. Indications included coexistent morbidity, previous surgery, or solitary kidney in patients with a life expectancy shorter than 10 years. Smaller (</=3-cm) peripheral lesions (n = 3) were treated with single electrodes. 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 6-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 central tumors was free of enhancement. One tumor had both central and exophytic components and was free of enhancement. Three tumors were 3 cm or smaller 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 patients with renal cell carcinoma. The ultimate role of this modality will continue to evolve and warrants further study.