title: Thermal ablative therapies for treatment of localised renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Small renal masses are commonly diagnosed incidentally. The majority are malignant and require intervention. The gold standard treatment is partial nephrectomy unless the patient has significant co-morbidities when surveillance or ablative therapies are utilised. The latter are relatively novel and their long-term efficacy and safety remain generally poorly understood. We performed a literature review to establish the current evidence on the oncological outcome of thermal ablative techniques in small renal masses treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, supplemented with additional references. Articles were reviewed for data on indications, tumour characteristics, ablative techniques, oncological outcome, impact on renal function and complications. The vast majority of articles identified were observational studies. There has not been any direct comparison against partial nephrectomy. Radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation are the techniques that are more commonly used. They have favourable oncological results on intermediate follow-up and indications that successful outcome is sustained long term. The morbidity and impact on renal function appear to be minimal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thermal ablative therapies are valid alternatives to partial nephrectomy for the treatment of small renal masses in patients unfit for surgery. Prospective long-term data will be needed before the indications for their use expand further.
authors.affiliation: Urology Specialty Trainee Year 7. St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK agapiosgkentzis@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Agapios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gkentzis
authors.affiliation: Urology Consultant. Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Grenville
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oades
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003452:Cryosurgery; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Thermal ablative techniques; cryoablation; radiofrequency ablation; small renal masses