Has anyone ever had a kidney ablation? What's it like?

I had a radiofrequency ablation on my right kidney in March 2025. I'll be having a follow up MRI in December 2025 to see if anything has came back. The cyst I had (2 cm) had developed following a partial nephrectomy (5%) 3 years earlier. Ablation is usually the choice for cysts that are 3 cm or less. I'm told there may be some benefit of the ablation in that it leaves behind destroyed tissue that may be a way for our immune sytem to identify the cancer, and thus fight it better. The procedure itself went well I'm told, and I took about a 2 weeks for me to feel normal again. Hope this helps!

I had a radio frequency ablation on my left kidney in 2024 due to kidney cancer. Procedure was done as a day procedure with anesthesia and I was able to leave the hospital the same day. Medical staff requested that I stay in the city close to the hospital in case there were problems. Recovery was not difficult, but I did have some limitations such as no driving, lifting etc. . I recommend you have the ablation. I have no regrets and I have been cancer free for over 1 year.

@rainyday541 Thank you for the reply! I need the positive!!
I've gotten 2 opinions from my doctors. One, who was on my maxillary bone cancer team, suggested it be done in the hospital. My regular oncologist said the doctor (specialized radiologist) can do it (and biopsy) in the office. With your experience, what's your opinion?
Thanks and God Bless!

I hada renal cyst on my left kidney removed a few months ago. They used a cryoablation to freeze it off. Stuck a couple of needles in there that created a1” ball of ice. Painless. Resumed full activities a couple of days later. Did a biopsy at the same time and it turned out to be benign. Oh well. The ablation procedure is not that different from a biopsy. I’m glad it’s out anyway. I had it done at UCSF.

@2ndjourney I had my biopsy and ablation with Interventional Radiology as a day surgery procedure. This was my first cancer and I could have seen an Oncologist, but Interventional Radiology was great. My cancer was between Stage 1 and Stage 2 so maybe that makes a difference. Follow your heart and I will pray for your decision.