Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(11):955-959

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1009-8291.2025.11.008

Research advances in focal therapy for renal tumors

Shibo JIAN 1 ; Yin HUANG 1 ; Dehong CAO 1 ; Liangren LIU 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

renal tumor; focal therapy; radiofrequency ablation; cryoablation; microwave ablation; irreversible electroporation; high-intensity focused ultrasound; stereotactic ablative radiotherapy

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Focal therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgical treatment for selected renal tumors.The core principle of this approach lies in the local destruction of tumor tissue through physical or chemical means to achieve tumor control.Focal therapy is particularly applicable to patients with tumors ≤4 cm in diameter who are unfit for surgery or anesthesia due to advanced age,comorbidities,solitary kidney,or renal insufficiency,as well as those with recurrent tumors after prior partial nephrectomy.This review summarizes the mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical efficacy of six focal therapy modalities for renal tumors,including radiofrequency ablation,cryoablation,microwave ablation,irreversible electroporation,high-intensity focused ultrasound,and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy.The aim is to provide reference for achieving individualized and precise clinical management.