Transarterial embolization of T1b and T2a renal cell carcinoma prior to percutaneous cryoablation: a retrospective...

To compare outcomes in patients with T1b and T2a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) who underwent transarterial embolization (TAE) of the RCC prior to PCA (TAE + PCA) to patients who were treated with PCA alone.

Retrospective review of all adult patients with T1b (4.1-7 cm) and T2a (7.1-10 cm) RCC treated with PCA from 2008 to 2021. Data collected included age, sex, tumor diameter, RENAL nephrometry score, technical success, adverse events (AEs), changes in serum creatinine, local control, and recurrence rates. A p value of 0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance.

13 patients with 13 RCCs (mean age: 72.7 ± 10.4; 54% male) and 35 patients with 37 RCCs (mean age: 66.7 ± 10.6; 60% male) were included in the TAE + PCA and PCA groups, respectively. The TAE + PCA group had larger mean tumor diameter (5.7 ± 1.1 cm vs. 4.7 ± 0.6 cm; p < 0.0001) and higher mean RENAL nephrometry score (8.9 ± 1.1 vs. 7.8 ± 1.5; p = 0.02). There were no differences between the groups with respect to technical success of PCA (p = 0.46), local tumor control (p = 0.3), or mean number of procedures to achieve local tumor control (p = 0.85). Mean increase in serum creatinine was not significantly different between the two groups (p = .63). Major AEs were similar between the groups (p = 1); however, the TAE + PCA group had no major hemorrhagic AEs while the PCA alone group had three (8.3%).

TAE + PCA in patients with T1b or T2 RCC is technically feasible without significant added detriment to renal function. This combined approach may help to reduce hemorrhagic AEs but larger patient cohorts are needed.