Thermoablation of Renal Masses: The Urologist's Perspective

Salvage Surgery After Renal Mass Ablation

Thermal ablative techniques represent treatment options for patients with small renal masses who are not candidates for surgery. The oncologic efficacy of ablation has not been compared in a randomized fashion with nephron-sparing surgery, and the urologist must be knowledgeable regarding the workup and treatment of patients with suspected residual or recurrent tumor following these therapies. Surveillance of patients with tumor recurrence after ablation may be indicated in select circumstances. When patients are deemed appropriate for salvage therapy, most undergo a repeat course of the same ablative modality. Salvage surgery is possible but often complicated by the prior ablative techniques.

Complications of image-guided thermal ablation of liver and kidney neoplasms

Image-guided thermal ablation is a widely accepted tool in the treatment of a variety of solid organ neoplasms. Among the different techniques of ablation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and microwave ablation have been most commonly used and investigated in the treatment of liver and kidney neoplasms. This article will review complications following thermal ablation of tumors in the liver and kidney, and discuss the risks and clinical presentation of each complication as well as how to treat and potentially avoid complications.