Cryo may be as effective as laparoscopic removal for kidney tumors

Percutaneous cryoablation of kidney tumors may be as effective as laparoscopy in eligible patients, according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual scientific meeting in Seattle.

In a comparative trial, researchers found that percutaneous cryoablation yielded marginally lower tumor recurrence rates than laparoscopy (10.5% vs. 12.5%, respectively), reduced hospital stay (1.1 days vs. 2.5 days), minimal complications (0 vs. 6.3%), and substantially lower hospital costs (59.5% lower).

“This early-stage research indicates that percutaneous cryoablation in the appropriate patient population can effectively kill tumors, while also offering patients a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery, and an excellent safety profile, all at a lower cost than laparoscopy,” said study author J. Louis Hinshaw, MD, of the University of Wisconsin. “Unfortunately, not all patients are viable candidates for percutaneous ablation, and we work closely with our urology colleagues to ensure that each patient receives the most appropriate treatment.”