PURPOSE: We defined the role of radio frequency ablation in the treatment of 
renal cell carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 patients with biopsy proven renal cell 
carcinoma were treated with radio frequency ablation in an outpatient setting 
and followed for a minimum of 4 years.
RESULTS: Of the 16 patients 5 died before 4 years of followup of unrelated 
causes. All except 1 tumor was successfully treated. All patients with exophytic 
tumors were successfully treated.
CONCLUSIONS: Radio frequency ablation of exophytic renal cell carcinomas less 
than 5 cm in diameter is effective in eradicating the tumor and comparable to 
surgical extirpation at 4 years.