Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma: initial experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical value of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).


METHODS
In a recent 3 years seven RCCs in six patients were treated by percutaneous RFA. RCC had been diagnosed based on the typical findings by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. A cool-tip RF system (Vallylab) was mainly used with a RF2000 generator. The maximum tumor size ranged from 8 to 40 mm in diameter. The follow-up period was 14-36 months after initial RFA treatment.


RESULTS
Complete disappearance of contrast enhancement during the early arterial phase was noted immediately after each session of percutaneous RFA. Two RCCs > or = 3 cm in diameter showed tumor recurrence and required re-RFA during the follow-up period. In one patient, retroperitoneal hematoma was observed as a noteworthy complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite our limited number of patients, we believe that percutaneous RFA is clinically feasible and can be an alternative treatment of choice for RCC.
Watanabe
Fumihiko
F
Department of Radiology, St. Luke's International Hospital, 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8560, Japan. watafumi@luke.or.jp
Kawasaki
Tsutomu
T
Hotaka
Yuhsuke
Y
Ishiyama
Mitsutomi
M
Fuwa
Sohkun
S
Nagata
Mikio
M
Saida
Yukihisa
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome