title: Radiofrequency ablation for renal tumors: our experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our results of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for renal tumors and to assess predictors of therapeutic efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients (median age 73 years) with renal tumors were treated with RFA under local or epidural anesthesia. All of them had high surgical risk or refused radical surgery. Tumors were punctured percutaneously using the Radionics Cool-tip RF System under computed tomography or ultrasonographic guidance. Median tumor diameter was 24 mm. After RFA, contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed within 1 month. Complete response (CR) was defined as no enhancement inside the tumor. Factors related to the outcome and to renal function were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow up was 16 months. CR was observed in 34 cases (85.0%). A significant difference in CR rate was observed between tumors < or =30 mm and those >30 mm. Outcomes tended to be better for tumors in the mid to lower kidney, and those away from the renal hilum. Recurrence was observed in one case (2.9%), but a CR was obtained again by additional RFA. Out of a total of 77 RFA procedures, complications occurred in only three cases (3.9%), and conservative treatment was possible in all cases. Serum creatinine levels 3 months after RFA did not differ from those before RFA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous RFA is a safe and effective treatment for small renal tumors in patients with high surgical risk or who refuse radical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. ken0911@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kawauchi
authors.forename: Terukazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Jintetsu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.forename: Tsuneharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged