Image-Guided Ablations in Patients with Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed tumors and a leading cause of death. The high risk of local recurrence and distant metastases represent a significant clinical issue. Different image-guided ablation techniques can be applied for their treatment as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or systemic treatments. A retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution, including a total number of 34 RCC patients and 44 recurrent RCC tumors in different locations (kidney, lung, adrenal gland, liver, pancreas, pararenal and other) using microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation and laser ablation. The estimated time to local and distant tumor progression after treatment were 22.53 ± 5.61 months and 24.23 ± 4.47 months, respectively. Systemic treatment was initiated in 10/34 (29%) treated patients with a mean time-to-systemic-therapy of 40.92 ± 23.98 months. Primary technical success was achieved in all cases and patients while the primary efficacy rate was achieved in 43/44 (98%) cases and 33/34 (97%) patients, respectively, with a secondary technical success and efficacy rate of 100%. At a mean follow-up of 57.52 months ± 27.86 months, local tumor progression occurred in 3/44 (7%) cases and distant progression in 25/34 (74%) patients. No significant complications occurred. Image-guided ablations can play a role in helping to better control recurrent disease, avoiding or delaying the administration of systemic therapies and their significant adverse effects.