A review of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an uncommon malignancy whose incidence has been increasing over the past few decades, posing treatment challenges for elderly or infirm patients who are not surgical candidates. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has emerged as a promising non-invasive treatment modality for RCC. The high dose-per-fraction used in SABR overcomes some of the mechanisms of radioresistance that has hindered the effective treatment of RCC with conventional radiotherapy. For primary RCC, local control rates for SABR exceed 90%, with typically minimal grade 3 or higher toxicities, offering a viable alternative for inoperable patients and those not eligible for or unable to tolerate radiofrequency or cryotherapy ablation. SABR can also be used in patients with a solitary kidney as a strategy for renal preservation to avoid need for dialysis. Given its excellent local control rates, low toxicity and preservation of renal function, SABR offers an attractive alternative to more invasive modalities for treatment of localized RCC.