Percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumours: outcomes from 171 tumours in 147 patients

Objective To evaluate the technical and oncological efficacy of an image-guided cryoablation programme for renal tumours. Patients and Methods A prospective analysis of technical and radiological outcomes was undertaken after treatment of 171 consecutive tumours in 147 patients. Oncological efficacy in a subset of 125 tumours in 104 patients with > 6 months' radiological follow-up and a further subset of 62 patients with solitary, biopsy-proven renal carcinoma was also analysed. Factors influencing technical success, as determined by imaging follow-up, and complication rates were statistically analysed using a statistics software package and logistic regression analyses. Results No variables were found to predict subtotal treatment, although gender (P = 0.08), tumour size of > 4 cm (P = 0.09) and central location of tumour (P = 0.07) approached significance. Upper pole location was the single variable that was found to predict complications (P = 0.006). Among the 104 patients (125 tumours), radiologically assessed at >= 6 months and with a mean radiological follow-up of 20.1 months, we found a single case of unexpected late local recurrence. Conclusion Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation, at a mean of 20.1 months' follow-up, appears to provide a safe and effective treatment option with a low complication rate. Anteriorly sited tumours should not be considered a contraindication for percutaneous image-guided cryoablation.