What Happens During Cryoablation for Kidney Cancer

This is a newer way to treat kidney cancer. Cryoablation is a less invasive way to treat kidney cancer than surgery. It also allows you to keep your kidney. It is a localized treatment because it affects only the tumor itself, not the whole body.

Your doctor may suggest this treatment for kidney cancer if one of these situations is true for you.

• Your tumor is less than 4 cm.

• You are older, and surgery is too risky for you.

• You have only one kidney.

This procedure may be done by a urologist or by an interventional radiologist.

During the procedure, the doctor uses ultrasound to insert and guide small needles into the kidney tumor. The needles’ tips are cooled to freezing temperatures. An ice ball is created around the needle. It grows and kills the tumor cells.