Laparoscopic cryoablation of renal masses: single-center long-term experience

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate perioperative and long-term functional and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) performed at Washington University.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed evaluating 62 consecutive patients who underwent LCA at our institution between 2000 and 2005.

Results: Mean age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 6.1 (SD, 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-6.6). Mean tumor size was 2.52 cm (SD, 0.99; CI, 2.3-2.8). Mean operative time was 162.0 minutes (SD, 66.6; CI, 142.0-182.1). Mean estimated blood loss was 84.9 mL (SD, 102; CI, 58.6-111.2). Mean hospital stay was 2.6 days (SD, 1.90; CI, 2.1-3.1). The perioperative complication rate was 9.7% (Clavien 1-2). Among patients with biopsy proven, localized renal cell carcinoma, the 6-year Kaplan-Meier estimated disease-free survival (DFS) was 80%; cancer-specific survival (CSS) was 100%; and overall survival (OS) was 76.2%. Mean follow-up in this subset was 76.0 months (SD, 39.3; CI, 62.7-89.4; n = 35), whereas mean time to cancer recurrence was 27.6 months (SD, 11.2; CI, 15.9-39.3; n = 6). Tumor size ≥2.6 cm was the only predictor of cancer recurrence in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio [HR] = 28.9; P = .046; n = 35). Mean preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 68.3 (SD, 22.3; CI, 62.1-74.5), compared to 64.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (SD, 28.9; CI, 56.5-72.6) at last follow-up (P = .12; n = 52). Excluding patients requiring secondary ablative or extirpative treatments for recurrent renal cell carcinoma, preoperative eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (odds ratio [OR] = 88.3; P = .036) and age-adjusted CCI ≥6 (OR = 32.4; P = .046) were the only factors predicting renal disease progression on multiple logistic regression (n = 47).

Conclusion: We report what is by far the longest follow-up to date of postlaparoscopic cryoablation changes in eGFR and note excellent long-term renal functional outcomes. For those willing to accept the potential need for retreatment for recurrent disease, LCA offers excellent long-term CSS.