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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Renal Tumors After Partial Nephrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of
Jiyu Yang1, Xiang Wang1, Zhihua Li1,2
1Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Urological Cancer Centre, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Objectives:
To evaluate the technical feasibility, safety profile, and oncologic outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in managing locally recurrent renal tumors following partial nephrectomy (PN).
Design:
A retrospective cohort study.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort of 46 patients with post-PN tumor recurrence treated with RFA (April 2017-August 2024) was analyzed, with a median of 58 years and 87.0% male. Baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and follow-up outcomes were collected. Surgical strategies and therapeutic efficacy, including tumor recurrence and incomplete ablation, were evaluated.
Results:
Among 46 patients (39 with single tumors and 7 with multiple tumors), postoperative pathological evaluation following PN confirmed malignancy in 46 cases, predominantly clear cell carcinomas (91.3%). The median interval between PN and RFA was 42.7 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 15.4-73.3). The median tumor size was 2.1 cm (IQR: 1.6-2.4). The median RENAL nephrometry score for recurrent tumors was 6 (IQR: 5-7). The median procedure time was 19.0 minutes (IQR: 16.0-22.6), with a median postoperative hospital stay of 1 day (IQR: 1-1). With a median follow-up of 29.3 months (IQR: 15.5-64.5), the incidences of severe complications, tumor recurrence, and incomplete ablation were 2.2%, 17.4%, and 10.9%, respectively. Limitations include modest cohort size, retrospective design, and predominant ultrasound guidance potentially affecting targeting accuracy.
Conclusion:
RFA demonstrates safety and efficacy as a nephron-sparing therapeutic option for recurrent renal tumors post-PN. However, the observed risks of incomplete ablation and recurrence underscore the necessity of enhanced postoperative surveillance for those patients.
