title: Long-term followup of patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with radio frequency ablation with curative intent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We defined the role of radio frequency ablation in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 patients with biopsy proven renal cell carcinoma were treated with radio frequency ablation in an outpatient setting and followed for a minimum of 4 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 16 patients 5 died before 4 years of followup of unrelated causes. All except 1 tumor was successfully treated. All patients with exophytic tumors were successfully treated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radio frequency ablation of exophytic renal cell carcinomas less than 5 cm in diameter is effective in eradicating the tumor and comparable to surgical extirpation at 4 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. wmcdougal@partners.or
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: McDougal
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gervais
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors