Cryoablation for kidney cancer: Efficacy, procedure, and outlook Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How can cryoablation treat kidney cancer Medically reviewed by Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP, Nursing, Oncology — By Jenna Fletcher on May 31, 2022Cryoablation is a form of treatment that uses a device to apply extremely cold temperatures to cancer cells. The device can precisely target the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact with no damage. In some cases, a doctor may recommend it to treat kidney cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that cryoablation uses extreme cold to cut away abnormal tissue. People may also refer to it as cryosurgery or cryotherapy. The procedure involves inserting one or more needle-like probes, called cryoprobes, into or near the tumor. Extremely cold liquids or gases, such as liquid nitrogen or compressed argon gas, cool the cryoprobes. These freeze the cells in the targeted area, warm them, and then freeze them again. This approach allows surgeons to target the cancer cells effectively while leaving the remaining, healthy cells intact. However, it can be painful and has some associated risks. This article reviews how cryoablation works against kidney cancer. It also discusses who can get the treatment, what the procedure entails, and more. Can it treat kidney cancer Share on Pinterestpengyou91/Getty ImagesRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer affecting adults. Typically, the gold standard for treating RCC has been nephron sparing resection, or partial nephrectomy. This is a procedure to remove a part of the affected kidney. However, with the increased use of imaging techniques, healthcare professionals are detecting RCC while it is in its early stages. This has meant that medical professionals have now begun to use cryoablation to treat RCC when a person is not an ideal candidate for partial nephrectomy or when they need to preserve their kidney due to other medical conditions. Cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment option for small kidney cancers. It is also less invasive than other surgical options. Candidates Before undergoing the procedure, a healthcare professional will order an MRI or CT scan to ensure that a person is a suitable candidate for the procedure. Typically, those who have stage 1A or 1B kidney cancer are suitable candidates for cryoablation. Some factors that a doctor may consider before suggesting cryoablation for kidney cancer include:Age and other medical conditions: A healthcare professional may perform cryoablation on older adults or those with other medical conditions.Kidney function: Cryoablation may be an option for those who have poor kidney function or only one kidney.Size of the tumor: A healthcare professional may recommend the procedure for cancers that measure 3 centimeters or less. It may be possible to treat larger tumors in some individuals, but there may be a higher chance of recurrence.Location of the tumor: Tumors nearer the back of the kidney are easier to treat than those nearer the front of the kidney, but cryoablation may still be a viable treatment option. Preparation for the procedure A healthcare professional may order cross-sectional imaging to help plan for the procedure. They should also provide detailed instructions on what a person needs to do to prepare. They will need to know about any medications, vitamins, or supplements that the person is taking. A 2020 article notes that a doctor will likely advise a person to stop taking blood thinners prior to the procedure. However, a person may be able to continue taking low dose aspirin. In most cases, a person should plan to spend 1 night in the hospital. This can mean packing an overnight bag and arranging transportation to and from the hospital. During the procedure The procedure itself is relatively short and minimally invasive. A nurse or technician will provide a sedative to the person to help relax them during the procedure. They will then administer a local anesthetic to the area where they will make an incision. A general anesthetic may also be an option. The doctor will use imaging technology, such as a CT or MRI scan, to locate the exact location and precisely target the tumor. They will then make an incision in the skin or use keyhole surgery. If a surgeon performs keyhole surgery, they will make a small cut and insert a camera called a laparoscope to ensure good visibility. The doctor will likely take a biopsy of the tumor and then proceed with the cryoablation. During the procedure, they will insert one or more of the cryotherapy needles and freeze the cancer cells. After they have removed the cryoprobes, they will perform a CT scan. Recovery The authors of the 2021 article state that after waking up, a person needs to rest in bed for 4 hours. They will be able to eat or drink after 1 hour, providing there are no immediate complications. People can typically go home the next day. If there is pain in the treatment area, they may need to take pain relievers for a few days. A healthcare professional may request a follow-up appointment after 1 month. How long does it take to work Cryoablation typically removes the tumor in one to two sessions. It is generally safe and effective in destroying cancer cells. However, as the surgeon does not remove the tissue from the body, a person will need monitoring to check for a recurrence of the tumor. If it does return, a doctor can repeat the procedure. Benefits and side effects Cryoablation has several potential advantages, including:a shorter recovery time compared with open surgeryminimal bleeding and painbeing effective in killing cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact A 2015 review notes that several clinical studies have shown cryoablation for kidney cancer to be a safe and effective treatment. However, there are some potential side effects. These include:bleeding around the kidneytemporary weakness that can occur due to a nerve sustaining damageinjury to the ureter, which is the tube that carries the urine from the kidneys to the bladderurine leakage Cancer Research UK states that major complications are rare if a person undergoes cryoablation via an incision in the skin. Complications are very rare when surgeons perform keyhole surgery. Outlook and success rates Over the years, studies have shown similar results for cryoablation for kidney cancer. A 2018 study involving more than 400 people showed that the procedure was 96% effective after the first procedure and 98% effective following a second. The authors note that complications occurred in less than 5% of people who underwent the procedure. Frequently asked questions The answers may help clarify some FAQs about cryoablation for kidney cancer. How does cryoablation compare with surgical methods Cryoablation offers an alternative to open surgery. It is an effective treatment option that has a low chance of complications. According to a 2014 study, cryoablation has a more favorable safety profile than the typical gold standard treatment. It also results in a shorter hospital stay. Whereas surgical options can result in hospital stays of 2.5–4.5 days, people who undergo cryoablation can go home the next day. How does it differ from radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation is another type of minimally invasive procedure that a doctor can use to treat kidney cancer. While cryoablation uses cold to destroy cancer cells, radiofrequency ablation uses heat. What happens to the tumor after cryoablation The tumor remains in the body, where it will break apart and shrink over time. Scar tissue eventually replaces the abnormal tissue. A doctor will typically monitor the person following the procedure to make sure that the tumor does not grow back. In some cases, a person may require a second procedure. Summary Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that a doctor may use to destroy cancer cells and abnormal tissue. A healthcare professional will make an incision or perform keyhole surgery. They will then insert a cryoprobe and use extremely cold temperatures to destroy the cancer cells. Cryoablation can provide a safe and effective treatment option for kidney cancer, providing the cancer is in its early stages and a person is a suitable candidate. Last medically reviewed on May 31, 2022SurgeryCancer / OncologyUrology / NephrologyMedically reviewed by Faith Selchick, DNP, AOCNP, Nursing, Oncology — By Jenna Fletcher on May 31, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about kidney cancerMedically reviewed by Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers. Symptoms may include pain in the side and blood in the urine. Learn about symptoms and treatment, and…READ MORECan kidney cancer be mistaken for kidney stones? Kidney stones share some symptoms with kidney cancer. Learn more about whether cancer can be mistaken for kidney stones.READ MOREHow can immunotherapy treat kidney cancer? Immunotherapy can slow the progression of kidney cancer and shrink tumors by using a person's immune system to attack the cancer. Learn more here.READ MOREWhat are the different types of kidney cancers? There are different types of kidney cancers. Learn more about the different types and the outlook for each here.READ MOREWhat's the link between back pain and kidney cancer?Medically reviewed by Jenneh Rishe, RN Kidney cancer can cause persistent low back pain on one side between the ribcage and hips. Read about symptoms of kidney cancer, diagnosis, and more.READ MORE