Recurring Local Tumor Progression After Cryoablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma

We describe three cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with recurring local tumor progression, i.e., local failure following repeat cryoablation for a locally progressed tumor. A second local progression developed in all cases after cryoablation for the first local progression, despite there being a sufficiently large ice-ball margin. In two cases, the second local progression was treated with microwave ablation and controlled in the follow-up. In one case, a third cryoablation was performed, but a third local progression developed after 12 months. These cases suggest that some RCCs may be refractory to cryoablation. In cases of recurring local progression, switching from cryoablation to another ablation modality may be an alternative.