Renal Tumor Surgery: Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Cryoablation

Implications in Long Term Renal Care

Complications involving the renal system, and kidneys, can lead to life altering health issues. For many senior adults, the complication associated with renal failure often begins with the development of renal masses or tumors.

If you suffer from complications associated with the kidneys, it is important to ask your physician to provide a referral to a nephrologist. Upon evaluation by a nephrologist, discussions should involve obtaining accurate diagnosis and, ultimately, to pursue the treatment needed for your kidney complication. In some cases, this may involve surgery to remove any suspect kidney or renal tumors.

When surgery is indicated in the removal of renal tumors, the most common type of surgery utilized today involves a procedure known as surgical ablation. In some aspects of healthcare, the procedure is also known as radiofrequency ablation. As a procedure that involves the heat destruction of tissue, the use of ablation is useful in many health procedures, including the removal of renal tumors.

In contrast to ablation surgery, the nephrologist may recommend another surgical invention using, instead, a freezing process. Known as cryoablation, a probe is used to freeze the tumor, thereby destructing the tissue. As a general rule, this procedure is done by laparoscopy to ensure the ice ball probe reaches the tumor rather than healthy tissue.

Should your physician provide both options in surgical approach, you may want to utilize radiofrequency ablation as this, generally, is less invasive and provides for the fastest recovery. In addition, because rental tumor recurrence is common, these types of procedures must be considered carefully as a repeat procedure may need to be done in the future.