Journal List > Korean J Urol > v.49(4) > 1005082

Bae, Kim, and Sung: Efficacy of Laparoscopic and Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal Tumor

Abstract

Purpose

We report here on the safety and efficacy of nephron-sparing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating renal tumor.

Materials and Methods

Starting June 2004, a total of 14 patients underwent RFA for renal tumor during the following 3 years. Of these, 12 cases were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. Eight cases of combined computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonogram-guided percutaneous RFA, and four cases of intraoperative ultrasonography-guided laparo-scopic RFA were performed with mean follow-up of 18.2 months (range: 4-27 months). The treatment indications were a localized, small (<4cm), solid renal mass in the elderly patients and those patients with co-morbid conditions. Physical examination, CBC, determining the serum creatinine levels and urine analysis were performed for the follow-up laboratory study and kidney CT was performed at day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after ablation and thereafter semi-annually. The mean follow-up duration was 18.2 months (range: 4-27 months).

Results

All the patients underwent successful RFA without any serious events. Four patients had mild perinephric hematoma on the follow-up CT scan and there was one case of mild gross hematuria postoperatively. With a mean follow-up of 18.2 months, two patients showed residual tumor at 3 months & 22 months, respectively, on the follow-up contrast-enhanced CT after the first tumor ablation. One patient underwent a second RFA and another patient underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, and no residual tumor was seen on the follow-up CT. Distant metastasis was not found in any cases and all the patients are alive on serial follow-up.

Conclusions

Percutaneous or laparoscopic RFA is considered a useful treatment for selected patients who have a small renal mass, and to spare the nephrons. The ultimate role of this modality will continue to evolve and this warrants further studies.

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Fig. 1.
(A) The follow up CT scan image 24 hours after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) shows slightly enhanced peripheral lesion. (B) The follow up CT image 1 month after RFA shows no contrast enhancement of the left renal tumor, but a slightly increased size. (C) The follow up CT image 6 month after RFA shows a decreased tumor size compared to that immediately after RFA. (D) The follow up CT image 9 month after RFA shows a more decreased tumor size.
kju-49-287-f1.tif
Table 1.
The patient characteristics and pre-operative status of the 12 cases
Patient No. (Sex/Age) Coexistence conditions Lesion type Approach Biopsy result Tumor character/Size
Case 1 (M/67) Previous gastrectomy history, due to AGC, inactive pulmonary Tbc Bilateral, exophytic Perc. Mesonephric adenoma Right, lower pole: 1.5cm
Left, middle pole: 2cm
Bilateral multiple small renal cysts
Case 2 (F/45) Religious cause* Exophytic Perc. RCC Right, lower pole: 2.1cm
Case 3 (F/43) GB stone Central Lapa. None Left, middle pole: 2.8cm
Case 4 (M/64) Hypertension, Bilateral, exophyti c, Perc. RCC Right, middle pole: 3.1cm
BPH, GB stone dumbbell shape Left, upper pole: 6.2x6.5cm
Case 5 (M/62) Thyrotoxicosis, Exophytic Lapa. None Right, lower pole: 1.8cm
religious cause*
Case 6 (F/60) DM Exophytic Perc. None Lt. upper pole: 3.5cm
Case 7 (M/73) DM Exophytic Lapa. None Rt. lower pole:1.6cm
Gout
Case 8 (M/66) Esophageal ca. -Esophagectomy Exophytic Perc. None Rt. upper pole: 1.9cm
Case 9 (M/72) DM Exophytic Perc. None Rt. upper pole: 3cm
Case 10 (M/50) DM Exophytic Perc. None Rt. lower pole: 3.9cm
CRF
Case 11 (F/22) Cosmetic cause Exophytic Lapa. None Lt. lower pole: 2.5cm
Case 12 (M/48) Atelectasis Exophytic Perc. RCC Rt. upper pole: 1.4cm

AGC: advanced gastric cancer, Tbc: tuberculosis, GB: gall bladder, BPH: benign prostatic hyperplasia, Perc.: percutaneous, Lapa.: laparoscopic, RCC: renal cell carcinoma. *: Jehovah's Witnesses, He/She refused blood transfusion and open surgery

Table 2.
Results of radiofrequency ablation in the 12 patients
Value
Mean tumor size 2.45cm (1.6-3.9)
Body mass index 22.7kg/m2 (18.7-27.2)
Hospital day Percu. 3.7 days (3-7)
Lapa. 6.2 days (5-8)
Mean operation time Percu. 99.6 min (73-143)
Lapa. 162.7 min (148-182)
Follow-up duration 18.2 months
Size reduction after RFA at 6 months 14% (5-28)
at 1 year 32% (13-60)
Recurrence rate 1/12 (8.3%)
Survival rate 100%

RCC: renal cell carcinoma, Percu.: percutaneous, Lapa.: laparo-scopic, RFA: radiofrequency ablation

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