🇫🇷 FR 🇬🇧 EN 🇮🇹 IT 🇩🇪 DE 🇳🇱 NL 🇪🇸 ES 🇮🇱 HE 🇸🇦 AR
Cochin University Hospital – AP-HP · Paris Cité University
← Interventional Radiology 🇮🇹 IT
Cochin University Hospital – AP-HP · Paris Cité University
Interventional Radiology Hôpital Cochin Contact us
Interventional Radiology
Hôpital Cochin Port-Royal AP-HP AP-HP
Interventional Radiology

Hôpital Cochin · AP-HP · Paris Cité University

️ Contact us Contact us
Interventional Radiology›Our Specialties›Percutaneous kidney tumour ablation
Tumour ablation

Percutaneous kidney tumour ablation

By radiofrequency (RFA), microwave (MWA) or cryoablation

This page may concern you if…

  • a kidney tumour or mass was found, often by chance on a scan;
  • it is smaller than 4 cm, or you do not know its size yet;
  • you were offered surgery and want to know whether a non-surgical option exists;
  • you have a single kidney, reduced kidney function or a high surgical risk.
Ask whether cryoablation is possible for me (form in French) or email Contact form

What is percutaneous tumour ablation?

This involves destroying a kidney tumour by heat (radiofrequency, microwave) or by cold (cryoablation), percutaneously under image guidance and without surgery. If needed, a biopsy can be performed before or during the procedure.

Why choose this technique?

  • Targeted local treatment of primary or secondary kidney tumours
  • Preserves as much healthy kidney tissue as possible, and therefore kidney function
  • An alternative to surgery with comparable efficacy for small tumours (≤ 3–4 cm), fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay
  • Particularly suitable for frail or elderly patients, those with comorbidities, a single kidney or kidney failure

Who is this method for?

All indications are discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting (urology, oncology, interventional radiology, etc.).

  • Single or multiple kidney tumours, usually small (≤ 4 cm)
  • Patients not eligible for surgery or wishing for a less invasive alternative

How does it work?

1

Admission to urology — dedicated pathway:

  • Admission in the morning (day 0) to the urology department
  • The ablation procedure is performed in the morning or afternoon
  • One night in urology with clinical and blood monitoring
  • Follow-up CT scan the next morning (day 1) to check the ablation result and the absence of complications
  • Discharge home the next day after the CT scan is reviewed
  • Follow-up CT scan at 3 months to assess the complete response
2

Under general anaesthesia

3

Percutaneous image-guided puncture (CT scan, ultrasound or image fusion)

4

Protective measures if needed (hydrodissection, carbodissection) to avoid any damage to adjacent organs

5

Destruction of the tumour using the chosen technique, adapted to its size, location and the patient's history

6

Post-procedure monitoring

What is the recovery like?

  • Moderate pain is possible at the puncture site
  • Possible but rare complications: haematoma, temporary blood in the urine, damage to nearby structures
  • Radiological follow-up by CT or MRI at 1 and 3 months, then regularly according to oncology guidelines

What to prepare before the consultation

If you are referred by a doctor in our centre, we usually have the necessary information and a pre-treatment consultation will be arranged.

  • A recent kidney CT or MRI scan
  • A recent blood work-up (kidney function)
  • A summary letter from your doctor

Patient information sheet

📄

Patient information sheet

Download our patient information sheet before your appointment.

📥 Download (PDF)

A kidney tumour? Have your imaging reviewed

Send your CT or MRI and its report to the interventional radiology team at Cochin. We reply within 48 working hours. No referral letter is required; one is welcome if you have it.

✉ Contact form 📝 Contact form

At a glance — key figures

Renal cryoablation destroys a kidney tumour using cold (−40 to −150 °C) delivered through fine needles placed through the skin under CT guidance, with no incision. It is an alternative to surgery (nephrectomy) for small renal cancers that preserves the kidney and its function.

CriterionData
Cancer controlLocal control at 5 years of 85–95% for tumours < 3 cm — comparable to surgery
Treatable tumour sizeUp to 4 cm (stage T1a), best results below 3 cm
Kidney functionPreserved — only the tumour is destroyed, the kidney is kept
ScarNone — percutaneous needle approach
Hospital stayDay case or one night, return to normal activity within a few days
Particularly suited toFrail or elderly patients, single kidney, impaired renal function, or patients declining surgery
CostCovered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees

Sources: EAU (European Association of Urology) guidelines. Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.

✅ Cost: covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees in our centre.

What the guidelines and the literature say

According to PubMed, four references frame percutaneous ablation of small kidney tumours:

Our team's position: for tumours under 4 cm, cryoablation is the technique we favour. The choice between ablation, surgery and surveillance is made case by case, in a multidisciplinary team meeting.

Frequently asked questions

I found a kidney mass by chance on a scan: is it necessarily cancer?
No. A kidney mass can be a cyst, a benign tumour or a cancer. Imaging (CT, MRI, sometimes biopsy) clarifies its nature before any decision. Learn more about a kidney mass found on CT.
Is a biopsy needed before cryoablation of a kidney tumour?
A biopsy may be offered to confirm the nature of the tumour, before or during the procedure. It is not always necessary: the decision is made at consultation and in a multidisciplinary team meeting, according to the imaging and your situation. Learn more about kidney biopsy.
Who decides between cryoablation, surgery and surveillance for a kidney tumour?
The decision is made jointly in a multidisciplinary team meeting (urologist, interventional radiologist, oncologist, nephrologist), taking into account the size and location of the tumour, your general health, your kidney function and your preferences.
How do I book a kidney cryoablation consultation in Paris?
Use the contact form to send your CT or MRI (images and report) and, if possible, a letter from your doctor or urologist (attachments accepted: PDF/JPG/PNG up to 10 MB). The interventional radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP (Pr Anthony Dohan) replies within 48 working hours. No referral letter is required; one is welcome if you have it.
Yes. For small kidney tumours (up to 4 cm, stage T1a), cryoablation is a recognised alternative to surgery: the tumour is destroyed by cold through needles placed under CT guidance, with no incision, preserving the kidney.
For tumours under 3 cm, local control at 5 years (85–95%) is comparable to surgery, with better preservation of kidney function and fewer complications.
Up to 4 cm (stage T1a), with the best results below 3 cm. Beyond that, or for complex central tumours, the indication is discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting.
Cryoablation is often preferred for central tumours or those close to sensitive structures, because the treated zone (the 'ice ball') is clearly visible on CT during the procedure. Radiofrequency and microwave suit peripheral tumours.
Imaging (CT or MRI) at 3, 6 and 12 months, then annually, to confirm complete treatment and detect any recurrence early.

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.

🏥 Le service 📰 Actualités 🔬 Recherche & essais cliniques