Kidney cancer
Kidney Tumor Ablation: who is a candidate?
By Advanced Urology · November 10, 2026
Who is a candidate for kidney tumor ablation?
The gist
Ablation may fit small kidney tumors, usually about three centimeters or smaller. It may also fit people who want to avoid surgery or have other health conditions.
Explained
It treats the tumor in place with heat or cold through a needle. A biopsy is usually done first or at the same time. Tumors in some locations may not be suitable to treat this way. Follow-up imaging checks the result.
Is it time to be seen?
If you have a small kidney mass, schedule a visit to see if ablation fits.
Our Woodstock care options
Woodstock patients can book with us at our Canton Clinic on Riverstone Blvd or our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center. Any procedure is performed by our urologists in Marietta.
Advanced Urology's full write-up
Read about Kidney cancer from Advanced Urology
Consultations for Woodstock patients
Woodstock residents with a small kidney tumor can begin at our Canton office or our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center. We'll review the CT or MRI with you, explain the tumor's size and position, and go over kidney function, other health conditions and blood thinners.
How our urologists weigh ablation
Ablation treats the tumor with a needle placed through the skin rather than removing it, and it may be considered for smaller tumors or people for whom surgery carries more risk. Surgery that preserves healthy kidney tissue and active monitoring remain options too. We'll describe how follow-up scans confirm results.
Call us if
- Blood appears in the urine
- Side or back pain is new
- Fever follows a procedure
Patient questions
Common questions
Will I stay overnight?
Some patients leave after the procedure and others stay overnight for observation. The plan depends on the tumor's size and location and your other health conditions, and you know it before the procedure is booked.
Can it be repeated?
Yes. If a follow-up scan shows tumor tissue remaining or returning, some tumors can be ablated again, and surgery remains an option.
Woodstock, Towne Lake and Holly Springs families can reach our schedulers at (678) 344-8900, and imaging can often be arranged near home.
Bring a list of medicines and any outside imaging.
A family member is welcome at the consultation to help take notes and ask questions.
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