Kidney Cancer Treatment: A Look at Cryoablation, Its Success Rate, Process, and Long-term Prospects
Minimally Invasive Cryoablation Offers Alternative for Early-Stage Kidney Cancer
Cryoablation, a minimally invasive technique using freezing to kill tumors, is proving to be a valuable alternative for treating small, early-stage renal cancers, particularly for patients with low kidney function who cannot tolerate surgery.
This treatment method, sometimes referred to as cryosurgery or cryotherapy, involves inserting cryoprobes into or near the tumor, which are cooled with liquids or gases such as liquid nitrogen or compressed argon gas. The tumor is destroyed using extremely cold temperatures, with the procedure being performed through an incision or keyhole surgery.
Studies show that cryoablation and other percutaneous ablation methods cause only minimal, often transient, declines in kidney function, comparable to natural age-related declines. After the procedure, a person needs to rest in bed for 4 hours before eating or drinking, and may need to take pain relievers for a few days. A follow-up appointment is typically requested by a healthcare professional after 1 month.
Comparing efficacy, recent research indicates that while cryoablation has higher local recurrence and lower disease-free survival than partial nephrectomy (surgical removal of part of the kidney), it fills an important treatment gap by preserving kidney function and being less invasive.
Traditional surgical methods like partial nephrectomy typically yield better long-term oncologic outcomes, with 5-year survival rates for localized kidney cancer around 93% generally, but these procedures are more invasive and carry risks related to surgery and potential loss of kidney function.
In summary:
| Aspect | Cryoablation | Partial Nephrectomy (Surgery) | |------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Local Control | Good, but higher local recurrence than surgery[4] | Better local control, lower recurrence | | Disease-Free Survival | Lower than partial nephrectomy[4] | Higher | | Kidney Function Impact | Minimal, often transient decline[1][2] | Greater impact due to tissue removal | | Invasiveness | Minimally invasive, image-guided needle-based[2] | Surgical, more invasive | | Side Effects | Fewer side effects, less damage to kidney[2] | More side effects, surgical risks |
During the procedure, a person will receive a sedative and local anesthetic, and imaging technology will be used to locate and precisely target the tumor. People can typically go home the next day after the procedure. Before undergoing cryoablation for kidney cancer, a healthcare professional will order an MRI or CT scan to ensure suitability. Suitable candidates for cryoablation typically have stage 1A or 1B kidney cancer.
A doctor will typically monitor the person following the procedure to ensure that the tumor does not grow back, and a second procedure may be necessary in some cases. Complications occurred in less than 5% of people who underwent cryoablation, as shown in the 2018 study.
Cryoablation is used to treat kidney cancer, specifically Renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Factors that a doctor may consider before suggesting cryoablation for kidney cancer include age, other medical conditions, kidney function, size of the tumor, and location of the tumor.
In conclusion, cryoablation offers a safe and effective treatment option for small kidney cancers, particularly for those who are not good candidates for surgery. However, partial nephrectomy remains the standard for maximizing oncologic outcomes when feasible.
- In the field of oncology, cryoablation serves as a valuable alternative for treating early-stage kidney cancers, particularly for patients with low kidney function who cannot tolerate surgery.
- This minimally invasive technique, often referred to as cryosurgery or cryotherapy, is performed through an incision or keyhole surgery, using freezing to kill tumors.
- Studies have shown that cryoablation minimally affects kidney function, causing only minimal, often transient, declines, comparable to natural age-related declines.
- Compared to partial nephrectomy, cryoablation has a higher local recurrence and lower disease-free survival, but it preserves kidney function and is less invasive.
- Factors that a doctor may consider before suggesting cryoablation for kidney cancer include age, other medical conditions, kidney function, size of the tumor, and location of the tumor.
- Cryoablation, used to treat kidney cancer specifically, Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), is part of a person's overall health-and-wellness regime, which includes fitness-and-exercise, therapies-and-treatments, and nutrition, to achieve long-term control over chronic diseases like cancer.
