Combined Transarterial Embolization and Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective...

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and oncological outcomes of combined transarterial embolization followed by percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Material and methods This retrospective single-center study included 24 patients with 24 biopsy-proven RCC who underwent transarterial embolization followed by percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation between May 2019 and August 2025. Procedural parameters, tumor characteristics, and oncological outcomes, as well as overall survival (OS), were assessed and analyzed. Results The mean tumor diameter was 3.9 ± 1.4 cm, and the mean ablation time was 26 ± 4.9 minutes. No major peri-procedural complications were observed. Early post-procedural imaging demonstrated initial complete ablation in 23 out of 24 tumors, equating to a rate of 95.8%. The rate of local tumor progression was 8.3% (2/24) and the rate of distant progression was 12.5% (3/24), which all occurred in patients without pre-existing metastatic disease. None of the patients with pre-existing metastatic disease developed local or distant disease progression during follow-up. The mean OS was 3.1 years (95% CI: 2.4-3.7) with a one- and two-year OS rate of 95% and 69.1%, respectively. Conclusion Combined transarterial embolization followed by percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation appears to be a safe and feasible treatment approach for selected patients with RCC, particularly those with limited surgical options.