Melanoma Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Melanoma, including details on identification, causes, prevention, treatment.

Radiofrequency ablation for tumor-related massive hematuria.

Neeman Z, Sarin S, Coleman J, Fojo T, Wood BJ

Special Procedures/Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Building 10, Room 1C 660, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1182, USA. zneeman@cc.nih.gov

To determine whether radiofrequency (RF) ablation targeting the tumor-collecting system interface has a durable effect in patients with transfusion-dependent kidney tumor-related hematuria, four patients aged 61-71 years were successfully treated with RF ablation, with a mean follow up of 12 months. Baseline creatinine levels varied from 2.0 mg/dL to 3.7 mg/dL. All patients had received red blood cell transfusions in the days and hours before RF ablation. No subsequent surgical or interventional procedures were required for management of hematuria. Gross hematuria resolved in 24-48 hours in all four patients. Two of the patients are alive with stable renal function and two died of causes unrelated to treatment. RF ablation may be an effective therapeutic option for transfusion-dependent cancer-related hematuria in patients with renal insufficiency, solitary kidney, or comorbidities, or after failed conventional therapies in patients who are not candidates for surgery.

Published 10 March 2005 in J Vasc Interv Radiol, 16(3): 417-21.
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