[Use of radiofrequency ablation in palliative therapy of renal cancer]

New methods in management of renal cancer promising better quality-of-life outcomes have been introduced for the past 10-15 years. They offer more opportunity of early detection of cancer, differential diagnosis and more accurate staging. Yet, there is a sizeable percentage of patients who cannot undergo surgery for general health reasons, multiple tumor involving both kidneys or involvement of a single kidney. Such patients may be given radio frequency ablation which causes a.c.-charged intracellular structures to vibrate leading to coagulation of tumor. Being unable of complete cure, the procedure is well tolerated. It gives the feeling of comfort, improves quality of life and is often followed by survival times comparable to postoperative ones.