Cryoablation effective in kidney cancer

SEATTLE, March 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests non-surgical, image-guided cryoablation is as effective as laparoscopic surgery in excising kidney tumors.

The University of Wisconsin comparative trial showed percutaneous cryoablation results in a slightly lower recurrence rate of the tumor, a shorter hospital stay, no major complications, and a 59.5 percent lower hospital cost than the laparoscopic treatment.

During cryoablation, argon gas enters the tip of a probe and extracts heat from surrounding cells, resulting in the freezing and subsequent death of the tumor. The treatment results in no major complications as opposed to the surgical procedure.

"This early stage research indicates 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," noted study author Dr. J. Louis Hinshaw. "We are excited about this study because it offers patients with renal cell carcinoma a less traumatic treatment that can be repeated as needed."

The research was presented Monday in Seattle during the 32nd annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology.