Lapascopic and percutaneous cryoablation for small renal masses are associated with similar overall and recurrence- free 5-year survival, researchers reported online ahead of print in Urology.

A team led by Jihad H. Kaouk, MD, of the Center for Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery, Glickman Urologic and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues analyzed data from 412 patients who underwent cryoablation for small renal masses from 1997 to 2012. Of these, 275 underwent laparoscopic cryoablation (LCA) and 137 underwent percutaneous cryoablation (PCA). 

The LCA group had a significantly longer median follow-up time than the PCA group (4.41 vs. 3.15 years), according to the investigators. The estimated probability of 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival was 89% and 79%, respectively, for the LCA group and 82% and 80%, respectively, for the PCA group, the investigators reported. The differences between groups were not statistically significant.

...