Renal cryotherapy is a minimally invasive technique to treat kidney tumors by freezing a portion of the kidney in order to destroy the cancer cells.

Indications

• Small kidney tumors
• Angiomyolipoma (AML)

Procedure

The patient is taken to the operating room and given general anesthesia. There laparoscopic surgery is performed to mobilize the kidney. Once the kidney tumor has been identified it is measured with ultrasound, and a biopsy taken. The cyrotherapy needles are then inserted into the tumor and frozen. The tumor is frozen twice during the procedure to ensure it is adequately treated. The instruments are then removed, and the case completed. The patient recovers in the hospital for one to two days. A CT scan or MRI is required several times in the coming months to evaluate the treated area.

Advantages

• Minimally invasive therapy for kidney tumors
• Shortened recovery
• Preserves kidney function (versus radical surgery)
• Surgery still an option if procedure fails
• Good success rates and low complications

Side Effects

Laparoscopic kidney surgery is a major procedure, and the risks that accompany surgery still apply. Renal cryotherapy is one of the best ways to preserve kidney function while treating a tumor, but on occasion, the kidney will lose more function than expected after treatment. Rarely, the patient may require a second treatment.