Cryosurgery in the treatment of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Solitary metastasis is uncommon, occurring in 1.6% to 3.2% of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Because of the potential of survival, amputation of an extremity with a metastasis is frequently advocated, particularly after successful nephrectomy. The cure rate with amputation is approximately 30%. Cryosurgery for treatment of localized and limited bony metastasis in an alternative to more radical surgery. This is a report of follow-up observation of the original series of cases as well as the addition of 4 new cases with multiple metastasis.