Kidney Radiofrequency Ablation for Small Renal Tumors: Oncologic Efficacy

Abstract Background and Purpose: The introduction of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) into other fields of surgery has fueled the interest to study its application in small renal masses (SRM). Some controversies remain, however, regarding its oncologic efficacy. We review technical factors and tissue characteristics that influence treatment success, discuss the evaluation of treatment success by post-treatment imaging and histopathology, and highlight intermediate-term oncologic outcomes of recent, larger RFA series. Materials and Methods: A search of the MEDLINE database regarding the treatment of SRM by RFA was performed from 2003 through August 2009. For the purpose of describing technical factors and tissue characteristics that influence treatment success and the evaluation of treatment success by imaging and histopathology, articles were selected when they provided detailed descriptions of one or more of these items. For the analysis of oncologic outcomes, the selection was limited to series in which a ...