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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Percutaneous microwave ablation of renal cell carcinoma is safe in patients with renal dysfunction
Yan Lin1,2, Ping Liang1, Xiao-Ling Yu1
1a Department of Interventional Ultrasound , Chinese PLA General Hospital , Beijing , China.
Objectives:
To present the clinical effect of microwave ablation (MWA) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of the patients with renal dysfunction, mainly focussing on the extent of renal tumour control and damage to the residual kidney function.
Methods And Materials:
From 2006 to 2014, 19 tumours of 18 patients with renal dysfunction underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided MWA in our institution. The tumour diameters range from 1.9 to 5.0 cm. The serum creatinine and urea levels of each patient pre-MWA, one day after MWA and the most recent occasion on record at our institution were collected. After MWA all the patients were followed up using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the first 1, 3 and 6 months and every six months thereafter. Patients were available for clinical and laboratory evaluations at a median follow-up time of 24.9 months (range from 3.5 to 85.9 months). The technical success, survival rates and complications were accessed.
Results:
Complete ablation was achieved in 19/19 (100%) lesions after 1 or 2 MWA sessions; 2/18(11.1%) patients died of other diseases. No severe complications occurred during MWA. After MWA no significant elevation of renal function was observed either in patients of CKD stage 1-3 or in patients of CKD stage 4-5.
Conclusions:
MWA is an effective and relatively safe treatment option for patients with renal tumour who also suffered from renal dysfunction. The complication rate is low, and excellent tumour control can be achieved with acceptable loss of residual renal function.
Insights
Microwave ablation (MWA) effectively treats renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with kidney dysfunction, offering excellent tumor control with minimal impact on remaining kidney function. This safe procedure shows a low complication rate.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) poses treatment challenges in patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction.
- Minimally invasive techniques are sought to balance oncological control and renal preservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with renal dysfunction.
- To assess tumor control and the impact on residual kidney function following MWA.
Main Methods:
- Percutaneous ultrasound-guided MWA was performed on 19 RCC lesions in 18 patients with renal dysfunction (2006-2014).
- Renal function was monitored via serum creatinine and urea levels pre- and post-ablation.
- Tumor response and complications were assessed using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and CT/MRI during a median follow-up of 24.9 months.
Main Results:
- Complete ablation was achieved in 100% of lesions after one or two MWA sessions.
- No severe complications were observed during the MWA procedures.
- No significant decline in renal function was noted in patients across different chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages post-ablation.
Conclusions:
- Microwave ablation (MWA) is a safe and effective treatment for renal tumors in patients with renal dysfunction.
- MWA provides excellent oncological outcomes with acceptable preservation of residual renal function.
- The low complication rate makes MWA a viable option for this patient cohort.
