Results of kidney tumor cryoablation: renal function preservation and oncologic efficacy.
BACKGROUND
Changes in the management of minimally invasive oncologic renal surgery have introduced ablative therapies as the most recent advancement in minimally invasive technology.


METHODS
The current evidence-based medicine on the topic of laparoscopic (LCA) and percutaneous (PCA) renal cryoablation was gathered and outlined in this review. The mechanism and surgical approach to performing renal cryoablation as well a focus on the oncologic and renal functional outcomes after cryoablation will be discussed.


RESULTS
Although initially recommended only for patients who were at a high surgical risk, presence of a solitary kidney, or in elderly patients, renal cryoablation, has expanded to include the majority of patients being treated for a small (<3.5 cm) renal cortical neoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
Renal cryoablation has become a viable minimally invasive treatment option for the majority patients diagnosed with a small (≤ 3cm) renal cortical neoplasm. Cryoablation does not seem to impact post-ablative renal function regardless of surgical approach, pre-ablation renal function, or presence of a solitary kidney.
Mues
Adam C
AC
Department of Urology, Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA. adammues@gmail.com
Landman
Jaime
J
D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome