Percutaneous Image Guided Cryoablation of Adrenal Metastases From Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Single Institution Review.

Objectives: To assess the safety, technical success, disease progression, and survival associated with percutaneous image-guided cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma metastasis (mRCC) in the adrenal gland.

Methods: Retrospective, single-institution review of adult patients undergoing percutaneous cryoablation for adrenal mRCC between the years of 2007-2021. Technical parameters, technical success, safety, and survival were analyzed according to standard criteria.

Results: Forty-six patients (39 male; mean age 66 ± 8.8 years) with 57 tumors ablated over 51 sessions with a median hospital length of stay of 1 day (range 0-3 days). Forty-four (96%) had primary of clear cell histology. Aim of ablation was curative intent in 39 of 57 tumors (72%) with local tumor control in the remainder. There were 2 (4%) technical failures and technique efficacy was achieved in 52 out of the remaining 55 (95%). There were no Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events' immediate complications and 4 of 51 (8%) delayed complications. Twenty-five of 57 (44%) had disease progression anywhere, away from ablation site. One-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence free survival rates were 100%, 89%, and 89% and overall survival was 98%, 85%, and 71%. Fifty-one of 57 (89%) underwent preprocedural alpha blockade with hypertensive crisis in 27 of 56 (54%) available records, of which there were no adverse outcomes.

Conclusion: Percutaneous cryoablation of mRCC to the adrenal glands is safe with robust local control, leading to advocacy for its ongoing use in this patient population. Multi-disciplinary management is recommended for successful treatment.