Radiofrequency Ablation of a Kidney Tumor

Studies of patients with kidney cancer have shown that radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive, kidney-sparing procedure, can be a successful treatment option for patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the kidney.

The treatment uses computed tomography for guidance during percutaneous placement of a needle-shaped electrode into the tumor. Radiofrequency current is then passed through the electrode to heat the tumor tissue and ablate -- or eliminate -- it.