RCC
Suspected or confirmed renal cell carcinoma
The subtype, stage, size, growth, and location help shape a plan that may include surgery, surveillance, ablation, radiation, or medication.
Cancer care · Interventional oncology
Kidney CancerUnderstand the renal mass before choosing how to treat it.
Some small, localized kidney tumors may be treated with an image-guided needle probe. The first question is whether ablation fits the diagnosis, tumor location, kidney function, surgical options, and the rest of your care plan.
Already have a CT or MRI? Bring the images and report. A specialist can review the mass in the context of your kidney health and urology or oncology plan.
- Board-certified specialists
- Multidisciplinary planning
- Three Los Angeles-area clinics
Imaging review · Kidney-directed care
Not every kidney mass is cancer.Benign, indeterminate, and malignant masses can follow different paths.
The decision has four anchors.Diagnosis · anatomy · kidney function · full care plan
01
Diagnosis before procedureThe scan and tumor type guide the conversation.
02
Kidney function mattersTreatment should protect healthy kidney tissue when possible.
03
One coordinated planAblation works alongside—not outside—urologic and cancer care.
A kidney mass is not automatically kidney cancer.
“Kidney mass” describes an imaging finding, not a final diagnosis. A mass may be renal cell carcinoma, a benign growth, or something that cannot be classified from the first scan alone. Tumors that began elsewhere and spread to the kidney are evaluated differently.
For localized kidney cancer, surgery—often removal of the tumor while preserving the rest of the kidney—remains a principal treatment. Active surveillance and image-guided ablation can also be appropriate for selected patients and tumors.
Clinical context: National Cancer Institute · American Urological Association · RadiologyInfo
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Indeterminate or potentially benign mass
Additional imaging, comparison with older scans, biopsy, or surveillance may be more useful than moving directly to treatment.
ADV
Advanced or metastatic disease
When cancer has spread, the role of local treatment changes. Medical oncology, urology, radiation oncology, and interventional radiology may all contribute.
The useful question: The question is not simply “Can this be ablated?” It is which path offers the right balance of cancer control, kidney preservation, risk, and follow-up for this specific case.
Many kidney tumors are found before they cause symptoms.
A renal mass often appears on imaging ordered for another reason. Symptoms can occur, but symptoms alone cannot determine whether a mass is cancer.
Incidental imaging finding
An ultrasound, CT, or MRI for abdominal pain, an injury, or another condition may reveal a mass unexpectedly.
Blood in the urine
Visible or microscopic blood in the urine can have many causes. It deserves medical evaluation rather than self-diagnosis.
Flank discomfort or other changes
Persistent side or back discomfort, anemia, weight change, or other findings may prompt testing, but they are not specific to kidney cancer.
Planned surveillance
A known small renal mass, hereditary risk, or prior cancer may lead to scheduled imaging and comparison over time.
New or worsening symptoms need the right level of care.
Contact your clinician promptly for visible blood in the urine, persistent flank pain, fever, or other concerning changes. Call 911 for severe bleeding, fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, or another emergency.
Make the scan, kidney function, and full care plan agree.
A safe recommendation depends on more than tumor size. EVSLA reviews the actual imaging and the clinical context before discussing whether an image-guided procedure belongs in the plan.
Request an Evaluation1
Confirm what the imaging shows
Contrast-enhanced CT or MRI helps define the mass, growth pattern, stage, and relationship to vessels, bowel, the urine-collecting system, and other organs. Prior images add important context.
2
Clarify the diagnosis when needed
Imaging can strongly suggest kidney cancer, but it cannot identify every mass with certainty. A renal mass biopsy may help avoid treating a benign lesion and guide the treatment strategy.
3
Assess kidney reserve and overall health
Kidney function, whether both kidneys are working, prior kidney surgery, medications, bleeding risk, heart and lung health, and other conditions affect what can be done safely.
4
Compare every reasonable pathway
The discussion should include partial or radical nephrectomy, active surveillance, ablation, radiation, medication, or a combination as appropriate—not just the procedures an interventional radiologist can perform.
Cold and heat can treat selected kidney tumors.
Kidney tumor ablation uses imaging to guide one or more thin probes into the mass. Cryoablation freezes the target; microwave ablation heats it. Neither is automatically the better choice.
Treatment is a pathway—not a menu.Surgery remains a principal treatment for localized kidney cancer, and some small masses are best watched. Ablation is considered when its expected benefit, risks, anatomy, and follow-up requirements fit the whole case.
Cryoablation
Using CT or ultrasound guidance, a specialist places thin probes into the tumor and creates a controlled ice zone intended to destroy the targeted tissue.
May enter the conversation when
Explore Cryoablation A smaller, localized tumor can be safely reached and the visible ice zone can be monitored while protecting nearby bowel, ureter, vessels, and healthy kidney tissue.
Microwave Ablation
A thin antenna is placed into the mass under imaging guidance and uses microwave energy to create a controlled zone of heat within the targeted tissue.
May enter the conversation when
Explore Microwave Ablation Tumor size, position, access, and nearby structures support heat-based treatment and the clinical team believes it offers an appropriate balance of control and risk.
When ablation is not the best fit
A technically reachable tumor is not automatically an ablation case. The expected cancer outcome, long-term evidence, kidney reserve, age, health, and personal priorities all matter.
Your team may instead discuss
Discuss the Full Case Partial or radical nephrectomy, active surveillance, stereotactic radiation, systemic treatment, or another multidisciplinary plan based on diagnosis and stage.
The right option is chosen from the whole case.
No single scan measurement determines eligibility. A specialist combines the imaging, kidney reserve, biopsy information, alternatives, and treatment goal.
Diagnosis, subtype, and stageTumor size, growth, and locationDistance from bowel, ureter, and vesselsKidney function and the other kidneySurgical options and overall healthPatient priorities and follow-up plan
Bring the records. Leave with a clearer next step.
A focused review works best when the specialist can see the actual images and understand what your urologist, oncologist, or primary clinician has already recommended.
Bring when available
- CT, MRI, or ultrasound images through a portal, link, or disc—not only the written report
- Older imaging so the team can assess whether the mass has changed
- Biopsy or pathology reports and the location of any tissue samples
- Recent kidney-function, blood count, and clotting laboratory results
- Urology or oncology notes, prior treatment records, medications, and your questions
Your specialist will consider
- Whether the diagnosis and stage are sufficiently clear
- Whether biopsy would change the recommended path
- How the tumor can be reached while protecting nearby structures
- Whether surgery, surveillance, or another treatment offers a better fit
- What preparation, anesthesia, recovery, and long-term imaging follow-up may involve
Share the clinical question
Tell the scheduling team how the mass was found, where you are in care, and which records are available.
Review the imaging
The specialist evaluates the mass, access route, nearby structures, kidney reserve, and stage.
Compare the options
Ablation is weighed against surgery, surveillance, and other relevant care—not considered in isolation.
Know what comes next
You receive a clear explanation of fit, alternatives, preparation, recovery, and follow-up.
A consultation is a decision-making visit. It does not commit you to a procedure.
Image-guided expertise, connected to urologic care.
EVSLA’s board-certified interventional radiologists review the imaging, explain whether ablation may fit, and coordinate next steps with the clinicians already managing your kidney or cancer care.
Harout Dermendjian, MD
Board-Certified Vascular & Interventional RadiologistHis specialty training includes oncology and other image-guided treatments, with a direct, steady approach to complex decisions.
Meet Dr. Dermendjian
Kartik Kansagra, MD
Board-Certified Vascular & Interventional RadiologistHe brings clear communication and a collaborative approach to complex vascular and minimally invasive image-guided care.
Meet Dr. Kansagra
Sipan Mathevosian, MD
Board-Certified Interventional & Diagnostic RadiologistHis UCLA fellowship training and interventional oncology experience support careful planning for selected image-guided ablation cases.
Meet Dr. MathevosianYou do not need to choose a physician before requesting care. EVSLA will help route the case based on the clinical question, records, and availability.
Start the conversation close to home.
Choose the clinic most convenient for your evaluation. Procedure location and availability depend on the treatment and clinical need, and the scheduling team will confirm the appropriate site.
Location 03
La Cañada Flintridge
1407 Foothill Blvd
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Common questions about kidney tumor care.
Clear answers about diagnosis, ablation eligibility, alternatives, coordination, and follow-up.
Is every kidney mass cancer?
No. Kidney masses can be malignant, benign, or indeterminate on initial imaging. Contrast imaging, comparison with prior studies, and sometimes biopsy help clarify what the mass may be and whether treatment is needed.
Who may be considered for kidney tumor ablation?
Ablation may be considered for selected small, localized tumors—particularly when the mass can be safely reached and treatment aligns with kidney function, overall health, surgical options, and your goals. Guidelines often discuss thermal ablation for selected clinical T1a masses, especially smaller tumors, but no single measurement determines eligibility.
What is the difference between cryoablation and microwave ablation?
Cryoablation freezes targeted tissue, while microwave ablation uses heat. Tumor size and location, nearby bowel, ureter and vessels, visibility on imaging, access route, and physician judgment help determine whether either approach is appropriate.
Is surgery still the standard treatment for localized kidney cancer?
Surgery—often partial nephrectomy when feasible—remains a principal treatment for localized kidney cancer. Ablation and active surveillance are important alternatives for selected patients and tumors. An ablation consultation should compare these paths, not assume a procedure is best.
Will I need a biopsy before kidney tumor ablation?
Often, biopsy is recommended before or at the time of ablation to establish a tissue diagnosis. The timing and need depend on the imaging, health history, and whether the result would change the treatment plan.
Can ablation cure kidney cancer?
Ablation may be used with curative intent for carefully selected localized kidney tumors, but no treatment can guarantee a cure. There is a possibility of residual or recurrent tumor, so long-term imaging follow-up is an essential part of care.
What follow-up is needed after ablation?
Follow-up generally includes contrast-enhanced imaging and kidney-function testing on a schedule set by the treating team. The goal is to assess the ablation zone, identify residual or recurrent tumor, and monitor the rest of both kidneys.
Will insurance cover a consultation or kidney tumor ablation?
Coverage depends on your plan, network, diagnosis, medical necessity, referrals, and prior authorization requirements. EVSLA can review available benefit information, but verification is not a guarantee of payment.
Find out whether kidney tumor ablation belongs in your plan.
Share where you are in the process and what imaging you have. EVSLA can help coordinate an evaluation and explain what records are needed before the visit.
Request Consultation Call (818) 626–3710Requesting a consultation does not guarantee eligibility for a procedure.