title: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of small renal tumours in patients with a single functioning kidney: long-term results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small renal tumours in patients with a single functioning kidney (SFK).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a single-centre prospective study. Patients with an SFK and a tumour smaller than 3.5 cm, treated with RFA over a 7.5-year period, were included. Nineteen consecutive patients (12 male), aged between 33 and 83 years (mean 61.4), were treated for 23 lesions. Primary endpoints were technical success and tumour recurrence rate. Secondary endpoints were the deterioration of renal function and overall survival rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up was 56.1 months (range 36-102). Primary technical success was 100 %. There were no major peri-procedural complications. In two cases, minor complications occurred. There was no significant difference between the baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and GFR at 3, 12 and 24 months post-procedure. In four lesions (17 %), recurrence was detected and an additional RFA session was performed. None of the patients developed renal failure during their lifetime. Three of the patients died because of other reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous RFA of small renal tumours in patients with an SFK offers very satisfactory long-term results regarding preservation of renal function, local tumour control and overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Tumour in a single functioning kidney requires minimally invasive treatment. • Radiofrequency ablation plays an established role in managing small renal tumours. • Long-term results of radiofrequency ablation have shown satisfactory local tumour control. • Long-term results have also shown that renal function may be preserved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 1st Floor Lambeth Wing, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH, London, UK. mkrokidis@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Miltiadis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krokidis
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spiliopoulos
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jarzabek
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fotiadis
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sabharwal
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome