Novel Ablative Therapies for Renal Tumors

Abstract

Major guidelines on the treatment of renal tumors now include indications for the use of thermal ablation in select patient populations. Renal tumor ablation is most commonly performed with either cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation. In recent years, a number of novel alternative ablation therapies have been developed including irreversible electroporation, microwave ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, stereotactic ablation radiation, and photodynamic therapy. This chapter examines the current status of each of these ablative therapies for the treatment of renal tumors. Technological aspects of each novel ablation therapy are described. When available, results of animal studies and phase I–II or observational human studies are discussed.