Results of kidney tumor cryoablation: renal function preservation and oncologic efficacy

Changes in the management of minimally invasive oncologic renal surgery have introduced ablative therapies as the most recent advancement in minimally invasive technology.

The current evidence-based medicine on the topic of laparoscopic (LCA) and percutaneous (PCA) renal cryoablation was gathered and outlined in this review. The mechanism and surgical approach to performing renal cryoablation as well a focus on the oncologic and renal functional outcomes after cryoablation will be discussed.

Although initially recommended only for patients who were at a high surgical risk, presence of a solitary kidney, or in elderly patients, renal cryoablation, has expanded to include the majority of patients being treated for a small (<3.5 cm) renal cortical neoplasm.

Renal cryoablation has become a viable minimally invasive treatment option for the majority patients diagnosed with a small (≤ 3cm) renal cortical neoplasm. Cryoablation does not seem to impact post-ablative renal function regardless of surgical approach, pre-ablation renal function, or presence of a solitary kidney.