Renal cryoablation shows positive results at up to 2.5 years

Patients who undergo cryoablation to treat cancerous kidney tumors are cancer free for up to 2.5 years after having the procedure, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.

"This procedure appears to be a good option for some patients," said Thomas Atwell, MD, the study's primary investigator.

In the study, 89 of 91 tumors were effectively treated in a single treatment session. Patients had tumors that ranged in size from 1.5 cm to 7.3 cm. The average size was 3.4 cm. Follow-up evaluations ranging from 3 months to 2.5 years were available for 62 patients, all whom remain cancer free at last report.

Researchers caution that cryoablation currently should be used only for patients who are not candidates for surgery because follow-up studies are needed before the procedure can be widely applied.

The study was presented at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting in Chicago.