A recent study published in Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology this month looked at the use of percutaneous cryoablation for stage T1b (4.1-7.0 cm) renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This non-invasive technique, which involves ‘freezing’ the tumour using fine needles inserted through the skin (percutaneous), has not yet been widely adopted. The current study investigated the safety, technical results and clinical outcomes of using percutaneous cryoablation for T1b tumours in 37 patients.

Recurrence-free survival was 96.5%, 86.1%, and 62.6% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively, and cancer-specific survival was 100% at 1, 2, and 3 years. Overall survival was 96.7%, 91.8%, and 77.6% at 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. Grade 2 or higher complications occurred in 16.2% of patients.

The researchers concluded that percutaneous cryoablation for stage T1b RCC tumours is technically very successful, has excellent cancer-specific survival, and an acceptable safety profile.

Read more in UroToday here