The management of renal tumors ≤ 4 cm in elderly population or patients with comorbidities is a challenge, for which ablative therapies are an interesting alternative. The objective is to evaluate in our center the role of percutaneous radiofrequency in the treatment of small renal masses, the associated complications and the results obtained.
Retrospective evaluation of the radiofrequency treatments carried out between April 2010 and April 2020 in our center. Demographic data, associated comorbidities, tumor characteristics, complications and oncological and functional outcomes were reviewed.
Fifty-seven tumors were treated in 53 patients. Mean follow-up of 48.2 months. The percentage of complete ablations obtained was of 89.5%. There were 19.3% of complications. According to Clavien-Dindo and SIR classification systems, 3.5% and 5.3% were major complications. A statistically significant association was found between the initial result of ablation and age (p = 0.047), RENAL-m (p = 0.044), the presence of cystic component (p = 0.049) and tumor size (p = 0.01). The cut-off point for size was established at 25 mm (p = 0.012). In multivariate analysis, only size remained as a predictor of initial ablation result (p = 0.01; OR 1.183; CI 95% 1.041-1.345). Cancer-specific survival and 5-year recurrence-free survival were 98.1% and 89.5%, respectively. A mean decrease of MDRD-4 of 6.59 mL/min (p = 0.005) was observed in the first six months after RFA.
Given the excellent oncological and functional results demonstrated, ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is an effective and safe treatment for small renal masses in selected patients.
Actas urologicas espanolas. 2021 Feb 01 [Epub ahead of print]
E Herrero Blanco, M Domínguez Esteban, E Alonso Mediavilla, A Fernández Flórez, P Lastra García-Barón, A Azueta Etxebarría, R Ballestero Diego, E Ramos Barseló, S Zubillaga Guerrero, G Velilla Díez, P Calleja Hermosa, R Varea Malo, E Fernández Guzmán, J L Gutiérrez Baños
Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España. Electronic address: ., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España., Servicio de Radiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España., Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, España.