title: [Radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Standard treatment for small renal masses is partial nephrectomy, which has shown oncological results similar to radical nephrectomy. Ablation procedures such as radiofrequency and cryotherapy have recently been developed in order to minimize the side effects of conventional surgical excision. This article reviews radiofrequency ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this review, a search was made in the Medline database using the term "renal radiofrequency ablation".
  
  
  RESULTS
  The different currently marketed systems for delivery of radiofrequency energy are examined. The different delivery approaches (open, laparoscopic, and percutaneous) are described. A trend towards use of the percutaneous approach was seen. Published clinical studies already include patient series with mid-term follow-ups (3 years) showing oncological outcomes similar to conventional resection procedures with fewer complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renal tumor radiofrequency ablation has proved to be an effective treatment with minimal complications. However, it should only be used in selected patients until longer follow-up studies are available.
authors: Servicio de Urología, Hospital Donostia, San Sebastián, España. javier99@hotmail.com
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Estebanez Zarranz
authors: Enrique
authors: E
authors: Artozki Morras
authors: Lore
authors: L
authors: Aguirreazaldegui García
authors: Itziar
authors: I
authors: Crespo Crespo
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Bandres Iruretagoyena
authors: Juan P
authors: JP
authors: Sanz Jaka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*