Percutaneous ablation of T1b renal tumors: a review

Surgical excision is the gold standard treatment for T1b renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, due to the comorbidities especially in elderly patients, not all are candidates for surgery or prefer surgical approaches. This has raised the interest in minimally invasive ablation therapy for such patient population given that ablation techniques have shown favorable long term oncologic and survival outcomes for T1 a renal tumor. This review article delves into the application of ablation technologies, including percutaneous cryoablation (PCA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and microwave ablation (MWA), for managing T1b renal tumors (4.1-7 cm). This review comprehensively explores patient selection, contraindications, clinical evaluation, ablation procedures, imaging modalities, technical considerations, complications, and follow-up care. Additional insights of the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of ablation techniques for treating T1b renal tumors are presented. As the field continues to evolve, understanding the nuances of ablation as an alternative treatment modality for T1b renal tumors becomes essential for optimizing patient care and decision-making.