Open Access

ARTICLE

A comparison of long term renal functional outcomes following partial nephrectomy and radiofrequency ablation

Stephen Faddegon, Tom Ju, Ephrem O. Olweny, Zhuowei Liu, Woong K. Han, Gang Yin, Yung K. Tan, Jeffrey Gahan, Selahattin Bedir, Yun-Bo Ma, Samuel K. Park, Ganesh V. Raj, Jeffrey A. Cadeddu

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Address correspondence Dr. Jeffrey A. Cadeddu, Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., J8.106, Dallas, TX 75390 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2013, 20(3), 6785-6789.

Abstract

Introduction: To compare long term glomerular filtration rate (GFR) outcomes of partial nephrectomy and radiofrequency ablation performed for renal malignancy.
Materials and methods: Renal function of 347 patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (n = 142) or partial nephrectomy (n = 205) for renal malignancy between 1994 and 2011 were compared from a retrospective database at a single tertiary care center. Minimum 1 year of follow up was required, resulting in a mean follow up of 48.2 (SD +/- 28.2) months. Renal function was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. The primary study outcome was progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier life table method. Multivariate analysis was also conducted to determine the level of association between GFR decline and treatment modality.
Results: The 5 year freedom from CKD stage progression for radiofrequency ablation and partial nephrectomy was 85.4% (95% CI 76.8%-91.1%) versus 82.1% (95% CI 73.7%-88.1%) (p = 0.06). A longer follow up interval was associated with greater GFR decline, although hypertension, diabetes, age, and tumor size were not.
Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation provides similar long term renal function preservation benefit as partial nephrectomy.

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