Laparoscopic renal cryoablation is a minimally invasive and effective approach to treating small kidney tumors. It is a treatment method that has demonstrated a long term results in patients treated for renal cell cancer. This study was conducted by prof. Giorgio Guazzoni, Head of Urology, and two team member doctors, Dr. Nicolò Buffi and Dr. Massimo Lazzeri.
What is laparoscopic renal cryoablation?
Laparoscopic renal cryoablation is a surgical technique that freezes and destroys small kidney tumors, in turn transforming them into scar tissue.
What is the goal of the study on laparoscopic renal cryoablation?
Despite the fact that several studies have been published on the matter in recent years, long-term oncological results are poor. The study concluded by Prof. Guazzoni, Dr. Buffi and Dr. Lazzeri, involved the admission and monitoring of approximately 200 patients. Each patient received follow-up appointments between 4 and 10 years. The initial assumptions made by Prof. Guazzoni and his team were confirmed in relation to the long term effect that the approach had on patients.
What aspects were proved in the study conducted by the Humanitas urologists?
The study entailed the admission of 200 patients (each monitored for 4 to 10 years) with an average age of 66 and small kidney tumors less than 4cm. “We monitored the survival rate – says Dr. Buffi – and tried to figure out whether the deaths were related to this specific disease or other causes. We identified the death rate from cancer (CSM, which stands for Cancer Specific Mortality) and distinguished it from the mortality rate for all other causes (ACM – All Causes Mortality). We found that the percentage of ACM survival rate was 95% and 61% at 5 and 10 years. The percentage of CSM survival rate, however, stood at 100%. This proved to us that no patient had died from renal cell carcinoma.”
