Ces Urol X:X | DOI: 10.48095/cccu2026002

Retrospective single centre study of microwave ablation in the treatment of cT1 renal cell carcinomas

Jan Hnátek^1,2, Jakub Horňák^1,3, Martin Mašek⁴, Jan Hrbáček^1,2

¹ Urologické oddělení, FN Bulovka, Praha

² 2 3. LF UK, Praha

³ 3 1. LF UK, Praha

⁴ 4 Radiodiagnostické oddělení, FN Bulovka, Praha

Major statement: Microwave ablation is a miniinvasive method of cT1 renal cell carcinomas treatment. The aim of the study is to present the oncological results and the occurrence of postoperative complications of this method at our institution. Summary: Aim: Microwave ablation is an alternative to partial nephrectomy in the treatment of cT1 renal carcinomas. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the oncological results and postoperative complications of this method. Patient population: The retrospective, single institution study included 63 patients who underwent a total of 78 microwave ablations at our institution, between 2012 and 2023.

Results: The study demonstrated a close relationship between oncological results and tumor size. In patients with tumors < 3 cm, 86% of patients remained recurrence-free during the follow-up, while in the group with tumors over 3 cm in the largest dimension, 68% of patients did not have a recurrence. Postoperative complications occurred in 18% of patients in general and 6% were serious (Clavien-Dindo score ≥ 3).

Conclusion: Microwave ablation in the treatment of localized renal tumors (cT1) represents a modern and safe miniinvasive technique. The therapeutic outcome is closely dependent on the tumor size. For tumors up to 3 cm, the method achieves comparable oncological results with a similar frequency of postoperative complications as partial nephrectomy.

Keywords: microwave ablation – renal carcinoma – tumor size – postoperative complications – miniinvasive methods

Received: October 6, 2025; Revised: December 23, 2025; Accepted: January 19, 2026; Prepublished online: February 15, 2026