To prospectively evaluate the incidence of post-ablation syndrome (fever and flu-like symptoms) and impact on the quality of life in the first 10 days following percutaneous image-guided cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
A prospective study of all cryoablation procedures with biopsy proven RCC was conducted with institutional review board approval between 08/2012 and 04/2016. Sixty-four patients (43 males and 21 females) underwent cryoablation. Mean age was 68 (range 24-86). A telephone questionnaire survey was conducted on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 following cryoablation, and complications were recorded. Data collected included temperature, degree of flu-like symptoms, severity of pain, percentage of pain relief with analgesics, interference with general activity and with work (graded on a 0-10 Numeric Intensity Scale).
Following cryoablation, six patients (9%) out of 64 developed post-ablation syndrome. Thirty-three patients (52%) developed flu-like symptoms only, which completely resolved by day 10 in 25 patients (39%). One patient had pyrexia only, which was self- limiting by day 10. Twenty-four patients (38%) were asymptomatic. Pain (mean score = 2.1) and interference on general activities (mean score = 1.8) and work (mean score = 2) following cryoablation peaked on day 3 and improved subsequently. Forty-six patients (72%) had 90-100% pain relief by day 10. No major complications were observed.
The full spectrum of post-ablation syndrome following cryoablation occurs in approximately 9% of patients; however, 61% of patients experience flu-like symptoms in the first 10 days, which are self-limiting.
Cardiovascular and interventional radiology. 2017 Nov 28 [Epub ahead of print]
Jim Zhong, Janette Bambrook, Balbir Bhambra, Jonathan Smith, Jon Cartledge, Christy Ralph, Naveen Vasudev, Simon Whiteley, Tze Wah
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK., Department of Urology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK., Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK., Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK., Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. .