Percutaneous microwave ablation or nephrectomy for VX-2 carcinoma in rabbit kidney

We compared the effectiveness of percutaneous microwave ablation and radical nephrectomy for implanted VX-2 carcinoma in rabbit kidneys.

VX-2 tumors were surgically implanted into the left lower pole parenchyma of 26 New Zealand White rabbit kidneys. At 12 days after implantation implanted rabbits were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups according to therapy type, including percutaneous microwave ablation, nephrectomy and no treatment. The anticancer effect and safety were compared among the groups. Histopathological changes in tumor tissue with time after microwave ablation were evaluated.

The survival rate in the percutaneous microwave ablation group was significantly higher than that in the no treatment group and showed no statistically significant difference compared with that in the nephrectomy group. Serum creatinine did not increase after microwave therapy but we noted a statistically significant serum creatinine increase in the nephrectomy group. Histological analysis revealed completely coagulative necrosis of the tumor in 10 of 12 rabbits (83.3%) after microwave ablation. Two rabbits died, including 1 of peritonitis in the nephrectomy group and 1 of intestinal fistula due to heat injury in the percutaneous microwave ablation group.

This study shows that percutaneous microwave ablation can achieve effects similar to those of radical nephrectomy. It caused no significant changes in renal function when treating implanted VX-2 renal tumors. Percutaneous microwave ablation has the potential of being a minimally invasive treatment for small renal tumors.