@Article{,
AUTHOR = {Petar Erdeljan, Mrinal Dhar, Geoff Wignall, Roman Kozak, Stephen E. Pautler},
TITLE = {Thermal ablation of small renal masses: intermediate outcomes from a Canadian center},
JOURNAL = {Canadian Journal of Urology},
VOLUME = {18},
YEAR = {2011},
NUMBER = {5},
PAGES = {5903--5907},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/CJU/v18n5/61878},
ISSN = {1488-5581},
ABSTRACT = {<b>Introduction:</b> Cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are nephron-sparing procedures that destroy renal tissue in situ rather than by surgical removal. Both thermal ablative techniques are recommended for select patients with small renal masses and multiple comorbidities that may preclude major surgery. Unfortunately, the long-term oncologic outcomes of these procedures remain unknown.<br/>

<b>Materials and methods:</b> We report oncologic outcomes following CA and RFA in patients with small renal masses from a single institution over a 48-month follow-up period. A total of 30 patients underwent thermal ablation for a small renal mass: 7 received RFA and 23 underwent CA.<br/>

<b>Results:</b> The median tumor size on preoperative CT was 2.6 cm ± 0.87 cm. Four patients experienced locoregional treatment failure and subsequently underwent radical nephrectomy. Two patients were diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma during follow-up. Six patients died during the follow-up period, five from unrelated causes and one from metastatic RCC. Overall survival was 80%, and RCC-specific survival was 96%.<br/>

<b>Conclusions:</b> This study demonstrates low recurrence rates of renal cell carcinoma following thermal ablation. In combination with previously published data, it supports the effectiveness of thermal ablation as a primary therapeutic option for a very specific patient population with small renal masses and significant comorbidities.},
DOI = {}
}