Cryoablation for Kidney Cancer
Cryoablation: An Alternative for Kidney Tumor Treatment Without Surgery
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue within the kidney. It is an effective alternative for patients who cannot undergo surgery due to age, health complications or tumor size.
What Is Cryoablation?
Cryoablation is a type of ablation therapy that uses extremely cold temperatures to destroy abnormal tissue, including cancerous tumors.
- How it works:
- A thin probe (cryoprobe) is inserted into the tumor using image guidance, like a CT scan.
- Argon gas is delivered through the probe, creating an ice ball around the tumor that destroys cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Argon gas cools rapidly, dropping to temperatures between -40 to -140°C, which freezes and kills cancer cells.
Benefits of Cryoablation
- Minimally invasive with shorter recovery times and length of hospital stay
- Preserves healthy kidney tissue
- Can often be performed on an outpatient basis
- Low risk of complications
- Minimal blood loss
- Comparable oncological outcomes to surgery for early-stage kidney cancer
Am I a Candidate for Cryoablation?
Cryoablation is suitable for patients who:
- Have small kidney tumors (<4 cm or 1.2 inches) in size
- Have multiple small tumors in one or both kidneys
- Are not candidates for surgery due to age, health conditions or tumor location
- Wish to avoid a more invasive surgical procedure like partial or radical nephrectomy (partial or total removal of the kidney)
What to Expect During the Procedure
- 1. Preparation:
- The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
- 2. Procedure:
- A thin needle is inserted through the skin into the kidney tumor using image guidance (CT scan).
- Argon gas is delivered to freeze the tumor and create an ice ball that destroys the tissue.
- 3. Duration:
- The procedure typically takes about one to two hours.
After the Procedure
- Patients are placed on bed rest for four hours post-procedure.
- Patients can eat and drink one hour afterward if no complications arise.
- Most patients are discharged the same day or the following day if pain is well-controlled.
- A follow-up clinic visit is scheduled one month later for:
- CT imaging to assess treatment success
- Blood tests to evaluate kidney function
Alternate Treatment Options
While cryoablation is an effective option, other treatments for kidney tumors include:
- Medical management:
- Cytokine therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Surgical interventions:
- Partial nephrectomy (removal of part of the kidney)
- Radical nephrectomy (removal of the entire kidney)
Frequently Asked Questions
A renal lesion is an abnormal area of tissue in the kidney, which may be a growth, cyst or tumor. It can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and is usually detected through imaging tests like a CT scan or ultrasound.
- Surgery: involves removing the tumor or kidney tissue through partial or radical nephrectomy
- Cryoablation: a less invasive approach that destroys tumors while sparing healthy tissue
- Cryoablation is performed laparoscopically or with robotic assistance for faster recovery, fewer complications and minimal blood loss.
Patients are under general anesthesia during the procedure and typically experience minimal discomfort afterward.