Radiofrequency ablation versus cryoablation for T1b renal cell carcinoma: a multi-center study

Purpose To compare the clinical outcomes between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation for the treatment of clinical T1b (cT1b) renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods The data of 46 patients [(39 men and 7 women, median age; 73 years, range 39–87 years)] were gathered from 3 institutions. RFA and cryoablation were performed on 23 patients each. The median number of ablation needle was 2 (range 1–4) and 4 (range 3–5, p 0.99). There was no significant difference between local tumor progression rate after RFA and cryoablation [3/21 (14%) vs. 2/23 (9%); P = 0.66]. The 5-year overall survival rates were comparable between RFA and cryoablation (78 vs. 82%; P =0.82). Conclusion Other than primary technique efficacy, the clinical outcomes between RFA and cryoablation were similar in patients with cT1b RCC.