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OBJECTIVE: With the increased utility of complex imaging modalities small renal tumors are being diagnosed with rising frequency. We performed radiofrequency ablation to treat tumors less than 4cm in size using a combination of temperature, impedance, ultrasound and laparoscopic guidance. In this article we reviewed the outcome of radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors at one year at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a three-year period 75 patients with a total of 93 renal tumors underwent radiofrequency ablation. Average patient age was 64.5 years with ASA of 2.9. Indications for nephron sparing were imperative in 33 (solitary kidney 21, renal insufficiency 12). Seventeen patients had significant co-morbidities with ASA score of 3 or more and were thought to be poor candidates for nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy. Five were Jehovah's Witness patients. Average tumor size was 3.2 cm (1.5-4.0). 60% of the tumors were exophytic and 40% deep. Radiofrequency ablation was performed via a transperitoneal approach using the single pronged 3cm Cool tip electrode (Radionics Inc). Tumor was isolated laparoscopically. Prior to ablation the lesions were biopsied. Ablation was performed using both laparoscopic and real-time ultrasound imaging of the boarders of the tumor. During ablation impedance and temperature monitoring was performed. For each tumor two separate ablations were performed at perpendicular angles, the first ablation was for 6 minutes and the second for 3 minutes. The center and periphery of the tumor was monitored to insure that the temperature rose above 70 degrees Celsius. Patients were followed at three-month intervals with triple phase CT scan or MRI to evaluate efficacy of the ablation. Our criteria for recurrent tumor were growth or enhancement of the lesion. RESULTS: Average operative time was 109 minutes with and average EBL of <25cc. Mean hospital stay was 1.4 days. At average follow up of 19.2 months (range 2-24), one lesion showed evidence of tumor recurrence which was corrected surgically. Two masses did show some mild enhancement on CT 6 months post operatively, biopsies showed no evidence of tumor with fibrosis. Of the patients with follow up of greater than 12 months 75% had decreasing size of the lesion, 25% had no change in size. No complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors is a feasible alternative for patients that have imperative indication for nephron sparing surgery or those that have significant co-morbidities. The procedure is expedient, efficacious and carries minimal morbidity. It is of extreme importance to follow these patients closely with imaging of the lesion on a frequent basis.
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