title: Microwave ablation of renal tumors: state of the art and development trends.
abstract: In the last decades an increased incidence of new renal tumor cases has been for clinically localized, small tumors <2.0 cm. This trend for small, low-stage tumors is the reflection of earlier diagnosis primarily as a result of the widespread and increasing use of non-invasive abdominal imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Renal tumors are often diagnosed in elderly patients, with medical comorbidities whom the risk of surgical complications may pose a greater risk of death than that due to the tumor itself. In these patients, unsuitable for surgical approach, thermal ablation represents a valid alternative to traditional surgery. Thermal ablation is a less invasive, less morbid treatment option thanks to reduced blood loss, lower incidence of complications during the procedure and a less long convalescence. At present, the most widely used thermal ablative techniques are cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation (MWA). MWA offers many benefits of other ablation techniques and offers several other advantages: higher intratumoral temperatures, larger tumor ablation volumes, faster ablation times, the ability to use multiple applicators simultaneously, optimal heating of cystic masses and tumors close to the vessels and less procedural pain. This review aims to provide the reader with an overview about the state of the art of microwave ablation for renal tumors and to cast a glance on the new development trends of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Radiology Unit, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy, chiara.floridi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Floridi
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bernardi
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fontana
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muollo
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ierardi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fonio
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Squillaci
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunese
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fugazzola
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrafiello
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000639:trends*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional