Safety, Efficacy, and Intermediate‑Term Outcomes of CT‑Guided Cryoablation of T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Single‑Center Study

TL;DR

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of CT-guided cryoablation for treating small kidney tumors, showing high success rates and low complication rates over a mid-term follow-up.

Contribution

The study provides new clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of CT-guided cryoablation for T1 renal cell carcinoma in a single-center, retrospective cohort.

Findings

Primary treatment efficacy was 91.0%, increasing to 95.6% after re-ablation of two lesions.

The overall complication rate was 10.8%, with major complications at 3.1%.

Local progression-free survival at 15 months was 92.9%.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the safety, efficacy, and mid‑term clinical and radiological outcomes of computerized tomography (CT)‑guided cryoablation of malignant T1 renal lesions.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) under CT guidance between January 2018 and January 2024 for one or multiple renal masses were included. Technical success and primary and secondary treatment efficacy were calculated. Complications were categorized according to the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Overall survival (OS) and local progression‑free survival (LPFS) were assessed based on Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results: A total of 72 renal lesions, with a mean size of 23.4 mm (SD: 9.8, range 7–45), were treated in 59 patients (41 males and 18 females, mean age: 69 years [range 45–88]). A total of 25 patients (42.4%) had a history of radical and/or partial nephrectomy. Primary treatment efficacy was 91.0% and increased to 95.6% with the re‑ablation of two lesions. The overall complication rate was 10.8%, with a major complication (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ III) rate of 3.1%. The estimated LPFS at 15 months was 92.9%. Local progression occurred in four lesions, of which two had already been ablated. The estimated OS at 1 year was 95.9% (standard error [SE] of 2.8%) and 91.6% (SE: 5.0%) at 3 years.

Conclusion: Percutaneous CT‑guided cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment for small renal cell carcinoma.

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