Ablation therapy for kidney cancer

Ablation therapy is a type of treatment that doesn’t require major surgery. Doctors use it to destroy abnormal tissue, like small tumours, which can happen with kidney cancer. The goal is to get rid of as many cancer cells as possible. This treatment works by either heating or freezing the cancer cells to kill them. 

The different types of ablation therapy are:

• Cryoablation: this treatment uses very cold temperatures to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.
• High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): this method uses focused sound waves to heat and destroy tissue.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: this technique uses heat from radio waves to kill abnormal tissue.

Although these treatments are gentler on your body, the cancer may be more likely to come back compared to having part of the kidney removed with surgery. Ask your doctor to explain to you the benefits and risks so you can choose the best treatment for you.

Last updated: February 2025