Ablative techniques: Radiofrequency and cryotherapy, which is the best?

Abstract

Over the last decade the widespread use of abdominal axial imaging has led to a significant rise in the number of incidentally discovered renal cortical neoplasms. Among the available treatment options for ablative therapies cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has established themselves as feasible and viable alternatives to partial nephrectomy (open/laparoscopic/robotic). The purpose of this manuscript is to compare RFA and CA. In order to do so, it is paramount to fully understand the small renal mass dilemma and to have a working knowledge as to how these technologies achieve cellular destruction.