Purpose of review: The management of small renal tumors is changing from radical nephrectomy to nephron-conserving surgery. The aim of this review is to discuss the currently prevailing methods used for nonextirpative renal tumor ablation. The studies published in English during 2004 to May 2005 have been reviewed in this article.
Recent findings: Of the various ablation techniques, cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are being increasingly applied clinically. They can be performed either laparoscopically or percutaneously using a combination of fine probes and high-resolution imaging techniques for focusing and monitoring the therapy. Noninvasive tumor ablation by high-intensity focused ultrasound, and other techniques, is still at an experimental stage.
Summary: Although the initial outcomes of cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation are encouraging, long-term studies are necessary to confirm their lasting efficacy. The optimal modality for tumor targeting, monitoring therapy, and follow-up remains to be determined. These ablative techniques should be reserved for carefully selected patients, the data should be prospectively accrued, and the results should be compared to that of the reference standard, open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.