[Radiofrequency ablation as an alternative treatment for organ confined renal tumor]

We report our early clinical experience associated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and complications.

Retrospective review of patients treated in our hospital with kidney ecoguide RF. All of them diagnosed with renal tumor and not candidates for surgery because of bilateral tumor, significant comorbidity or refusal to surgical treatment. We use an Amitech® 220 Watts generator with an electrode tip 3 cm. Straight knitting needles and hooks. Controls were performed with axial tomography at 24h, 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months and every 6 months thereafter.

11 tumors, 9 patients. The mean age was 76 years (63-85 years). The average tumor size was 3.5 cm (2.2-5.8 cm). In 2 tumors was needed prior chemoembolization. In other two new RF session was needed. 9 tumors with treatment considered effective. Mean follow-up was 17.5 months (3-52 months). One patient had local recurrence at 14 months and needed a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and two patients developed lung metastases 41.5 months after RF. There were no clinically relevant complications.

In our experience, we believe that RF is considered an alternative treatment for renal tumors with clinical stage T1 or T2 very symptomatic in patients in whom surgery is not possible, with acceptable results in the medium term, a good tolerance, reduced consumption of hospital resources and low complication rate.