Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of small renal masses

Renal cell carcinoma is a common malignancy with increasing incidence due to the incidental detection of non-symptomatic small renal masses on imaging. Management of these small tumors has evolved toward minimally invasive nephron-sparing techniques which include partial nephrectomy and image-guided ablation. Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation are the most utilized ablation modalities with the former more suited for larger and central renal masses due to intra-procedural visualization of the ablation zone and reduced pelvicalyceal injury. In this article, we review the epidemiology and natural history of renal cell carcinoma, the role of biopsy, and the management options available—surgery, image-guided ablation, and active surveillance—with a focus on cryoablation. The clinical outcomes of the longer term maturing cryoablation data are discussed with reference to partial nephrectomy and radiofrequency ablation. Image-guided ablation has often been the management choice in patients deemed unfit for surgery; however, growing evidence from published series demonstrates image-guided ablation as a sound alternative treatment with equivalent oncological outcomes and minimal patient impact.