To evaluate the use of pre-cryoablation biopsy for small renal masses (SRMs) and the effects of increasing uptake on histological results of treated SRMs.
From 2015 to 2019, patients with sporadic T1N0M0 SRMs undergoing percutaneous, laparoscopic, or open cryoablation from 14 European institutions within the European Registry for Renal Cryoablation (EuRECA) were included for the retrospective analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic models were used to evaluate the trends, histological results, and the factors influencing use of pre-cryoablation biopsy.
In total, 871 patients (median (IQR) age, 69 (14), 298 women) undergoing cryoablation were evaluated. The use of pre-cryoablation biopsy has significantly increased from 42% (65/156) in 2015 to 72% (88/122) in 2019 (p < 0.001). Patients treated for a benign histology are significantly more likely to have presented later in the trend, where pre-cryoablation biopsy is more prevalent (OR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.51-0.81, p < 0.001). Patients treated for undiagnosed histology are also significantly less likely to have presented in 2018 compared to 2016 (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.10-0.97, p = 0.044). Patients aged 70+ are less likely to be biopsies pre-cryoablation (p < 0.05). R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score of 10+ and a Charlson Comorbidity Index > 1 are factors associated with lower likelihood to not have received a pre-cryoablation biopsy (p < 0.05).
An increased use of pre-cryoablation biopsy was observed and cryoablation patients treated with a benign histology are more likely to have presented in periods where pre-cryoablation biopsy is not as prevalent. Comparative studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions on the effect of pre-cryoablation biopsy on SRM treatments.
• The use of biopsy pre-ablation session has increased significantly from 42% of all patients in 2015 to 74% in 2019. • Patients are less likely to be treated for a benign tumour if they presented later in the trend, where pre-cryoablation biopsy is more prevalent, compared to later in the trend (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.51-0.81, p < 0.001). • Patients with comorbidities or a complex tumour (R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score > 10) are less likely to not undergo biopsy as a separate session to cryoablation.
European radiology. 2022 Feb 05 [Epub ahead of print]
Vinson Wai-Shun Chan, Francis Xavier Keeley, Brunolf Lagerveld, David J Breen, Alexander King, Tommy Kjærgaard Nielsen, Marco van Strijen, Julien Garnon, Des Alcorn, Ole Graumann, Eric de Kerviler, Patricia Zondervan, Miles Walkden, Giovanni Lughezzani, Tze Min Wah
School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK., Bristol Urological Institute, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK., Department of Urology, OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands., Department of Radiology, Southampton University Hospitals, Southampton, UK., Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark., Department of Radiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands., Department of Interventional Radiology, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 1 place de l'Hôpital, 67000, Strasbourg, France., Department of Interventional Radiology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, UK., Department of Radiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark., Radiology Department, Saint-Louis Hospital, AP-HP, 1 avenue Claude-Vellefaux, 75475, Paris cedex 10, France., Department of Urology, 26066Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands., Department of Imaging, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK., Department of Urology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy., Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute of Oncology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. .