Thermodestruction methods in the treatment of renal-cell carcinoma

Abstract

Treatment policy for small renal tumors, up to 4 cm (T1a) varies from a follow-up to organ-removing operations. Renal resection is currently the standard of treatment. The basic principle of organ-preserving treatment is a maximally sparing attitude towards to the renal parenchyma. Mini-invasive treatments for locally advanced renal cancer in small neoplastic sizes have recently found clinical application. These include cryodestruction and radio-frequency ablation. The well-known advantages of mini-invasive treatments are preservation of the renal parenchyma, low traumaticity, and short-term hospitalization, as well as a rapid recovery of the patient’s working capacity after intervention. This paper considers the theoretical and practical aspects of use of current thermodestruction methods in the treatment of renal tumors.