Functional and oncological outcome of percutaneous cryoablation versus laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for clinical T1 renal tumors: A propensity score-matched analysis

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical trifecta of percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) vs. laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for cT1 renal tumors.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients who had undergone 2 types of nephron sparing surgeries (NSS) PCA or LPN for cT1 renal tumors between November 2011 and December 2019. The cohorts were matched by one-to-one propensity scores based on patient demographics, renal function, and tumor complexity. Perioperative and oncological outcomes and preservation of renal function following surgery were compared.

Results: After matching, a total of 180 patients who had undergone NSS for de novo renal tumors were evaluable: 90 for PCA and 90 for LPN. No statistically significant differences were noted among the measured baseline characteristics in the propensity score-matched cohorts. Overall perioperative complication rates were 5.5% in the PCA and 11.1% in the LPN groups (P = 0.28). The rate of eGFR preservation 1 to 3 months after surgery was significantly higher for PCA than for LPN (92.8 ± 11.5% vs. 88.5 ± 14.6%, P = 0.03). Median follow-up was 33 months for PCA and 18 months for LPN (P < 0.001). Three residual and 4 recurrent tumors were later diagnosed in the PCA group and 1 recurrent tumor in the LPN group. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival was lower for PCA than LPN (90.2% vs. 98.5%, P = 0.36). The 5-year metastasis-free survival rate was similar in both groups (98.4% vs. 100%, P = 0.38). The 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival rates were comparable in both groups (91.7% vs. 98.9%, P = 0.53, and 95% vs. 100%, P = 0.55, respectively).

Conclusions: Clinical T1 RCC patients are better treated with LPN if technically possible. Though PCA had a higher local recurrence rate, medium-term local control was not inferior to LPN. Additionally, PCA patients tended to retain renal function without severe complications. PCA appears to be a reasonable option for patients with high comorbidity at presentation.