New approaches to the minimally invasive treatment of kidney tumors

The incidence of renal cortical neoplasms has dramatically increased with the widespread use of abdominal imaging over the past 20 years. Coincidentally, the proportion of tumors that are smaller and incidentally detected has risen as well, indicative of a stage migration. The widespread application of minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques to other organ systems has spurred the development of minimally invasive approaches to the management of renal tumors. The available data regarding laparoscopic nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, and tissue ablative techniques, such as renal cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound are reviewed.