Ablation of Kidney Tumors in Patients with Substantial Kidney Impairment: Current Status

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current status of kidney tumor ablation in patients with substantial kidney impairment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Few reports of kidney tumor ablation in such patients have recently been published. The reported prevalence of patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients undergoing ablation is 2.0%-10%. In patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD, local tumor control rates were 88%-100%. The effect of ablation on CKD stage is unclear, and the observed deteriorations in kidney function are consistent with both the effect of cryoablation and the natural course of advanced CKD. According to guidelines, active surveillance may be selected. The goals of treatment are complete tumor removal and maintenance of kidney function, both of which can be met by ablation. Given the limited treatment options, ablation may play a pivotal role in the management of patients with advanced CKD.

Coil-assisted RFA of poorly visible liver tumors: effectiveness and risk factors of local tumor progression

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a percutaneously inserted coil as a landmark before radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of poorly visible liver tumors on unenhanced computed tomography and ultrasound.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective study of 46 consecutive patients treated from January 2008 to June 2012 with RFA under CT guidance for 57 poorly visible liver tumors after percutaneous coil insertion. Effectiveness was evaluated by the rate of local tumor progression (LTP), and the risk factors of LTP were evaluated by multiple univariate analysis.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 15.9 months, the overall rate of LTP was 22.8 % (13/57). An increase in the distance between the coil and the center of the tumor was a predictive factor of LTP (p = 0.005) and resulted in an increase in time to place the RFA probe. LTP was significantly reduced in case of coil placed within the tumor (10 vs. 43.5 %, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of the "coil-assisted" RFA for poorly visible liver tumors is improved by centering the coil in the tumor in order to facilitate the placement of the RFA probe and equal to the results of RFA under direct image guidance.