Single-center comparative oncologic outcomes of surgical and percutaneous cryoablation for treatment of renal tumors

Purpose: To compare outcomes between patients undergoing surgical and percutaneous cryoablation for treatment of renal masses and identify prognostic variables that determine survival. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 194 patients who underwent cryoablation for renal tumors between 1997 and 2008 at a single large center. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, perioperative data, and follow-up details were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to identify predictors of overall (OS), cancer-specific (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: Cryoablation was performed percutaneously (PCA) in 141 patients for 154 tumors, while 53 patients were treated surgically (SCA) using an open or laparoscopic approach for 54 tumors. Mean follow-up was 44.5 months in SCA and 36.1 months in PCA. PCA had a shorter duration of hospital stay (0.7 days vs 3.2 days, P<0.0001). The rate of residual (P=0.38) and recurrent disease (P=0.18) was not significantly different between the two groups. Five-year OS, CSS, and RFS were 78.81%, 100%, and 85.23% for SCA, and 77.71%, 98%, and 95.56% for PCA, respectively; the type of approach was not predictive of OS, CSS, and RFS. Conclusions: SCA and PCA both provide adequate oncologic control for renal masses. Duration of hospital stay was lower in patients undergoing PCA.