First percutaneous cryoablation in Chile as an alternative treatment for renal cancer

Claudia Moya-Ochoa, Departamento de Radiología, Unidad de Radiología Intervencional, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Ma. Fernanda Eyssautier-Susarte, Departamento de Radiología, Unidad de Radiología Intervencional, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Loreto Lara-Pérez, Departamento de Radiología, Unidad de Radiología Intervencional, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Leonardo Álvarez-Aros, Departamento de Radiología, Unidad de Radiología Intervencional, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
Patricio Palavecino-Rubilar, Departamento de Radiología, Unidad de Radiología Intervencional, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Percutaneous cryoablation is a widely accepted minimally invasive technique for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at stage cT1a. It achieves oncologic outcomes comparable to partial nephrectomy, with high safety standards, reduced pain, and low complication rates. However, in Chile, its implementation has been limited due to high costs and lack of integration into healthcare systems. We report the case of a 71-year-old man with a history of surgically treated urothelial neoplasia, in whom a 12 mm left renal nodule compatible with cT1a RCC was incidentally detected during surveillance. Following multidisciplinary evaluation, curative percutaneous cryoablation guided by computed tomography (CT) was indicated. Three freeze-thaw cycles were successfully performed without immediate or delayed complications. Imaging follow-up at 3 and 6 months demonstrated complete ablation zone without pathological enhancement or evidence of local recurrence. This represents the first documented case of percutaneous cryoablation for cT1a RCC in Chile, marking a milestone in the adoption and implementation of this ablative technique in the country.

Keywords: Cryoablation. Renal cell carcinoma. Interventional radiology.