Radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma under CT guidance - Present and future status

At Okayama University, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal cell carcinoma was performed in May 2002 as the initial case in Japan. In 2004, it was regarded as an advanced medical technique by the Japanese authority. Since then, RFA has been actively performed for renal cell carcinoma not only at the primary site but also at the metastatic site, including the lung and bone. The clinical outcome has been compatible with other institutes and no serious adverse events have occurred. From the view paint of fusing technical innovation with medical safety, this treatment is a potent therapeutic option for renal cell carcinoma. In the era of laparoscopic surgery, RFA is indicated for cases with VHL, recurrence after partial nephrectomy, a single kidney and intolerance to general anesthesia, due to its technical advantage in that RFA can be repeated. In this review, the current clinical outcome is reported and future prospects are discussed as to whether it can be the safest and most concrete treatment for renal cell carcinoma in the 21^st century.