Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41649536›Full record

SynthesisEuropean radiology2026

The use of computed tomography during follow-up after ablation of cT1 renal cell carcinoma: evidence for overuse.

Marlin A A Reijerink, Luna van den Brink, Michael M E L Henderickx, Otto M van Delden, Harrie P Beerlage, Axel Bex, Faridi S Jamaludin, Mitra Nekouei Shahraki, Patricia J Zondervan, Jaap Stoker

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Marlin A A Reijerink *Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.a.a.reijerink@amsterdamumc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9545-7884
Luna van den Brink *Cancer Center Amsterdam, Imaging and Biomarkers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Michael M E L HenderickxAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Urology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Otto M van DeldenAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Harrie P BeerlageAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Urology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Axel BexNetherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Department of Urology, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Faridi S JamaludinAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Medical Library AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mitra Nekouei ShahrakiAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Patricia J ZondervanCancer Center Amsterdam, Imaging and Biomarkers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jaap StokerAmsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis systematic review aims to assess whether studies that followed the 2016 and updated 2024 European Association of Urology (EAU) Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) guidelines for CT during follow-up after tumor ablation (TA) yield different oncological outcomes compared to studies that performed more frequent imaging. MATERIALS AND

methodsA literature search of relevant search engines was performed up to June 6th, 2025. Studies that reported follow-up schedules of patients after TA for cT1 RCC were included. Studies utilizing more CT scans than recommended by the 2016 and 2024 EAU guidelines were compared with those adhering to the guidelines. Data on recurrences and survival were analyzed.

resultsThirty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, involving patients with cT1 RCC treated with TA. The mean 5-year overall survival rate was 82.9%. The pooled recurrence rate was 7.7% in studies that performed more imaging than recommended by the 2016 EAU guideline, compared with 12.3% in studies that adhered to the guideline (p = 0.19). All studies performed more imaging than recommended by the updated 2024 guidelines. Risk of bias was moderate to high in most studies.

conclusionThe majority of included studies conducted more frequent imaging than advised by the 2016 EAU guidelines, with all studies exceeding the 2024 EAU guidelines. The studies included in our systematic review revealed similar oncological outcomes after TA, among studies that followed the 2016 EAU guidelines and those that performed more frequent imaging, suggesting that more frequent imaging than the 2016 EAU guidelines may not lead to a survival benefit. KEY POINTS: Question Does more frequent follow-up CT imaging after tumor ablation for localized renal cell carcinoma improve oncological outcomes compared to European Association of Urology guideline recommendations? Findings 89% of studies performed more frequent CT scans than the 2016 guidelines; recurrence was 7.7% with extra scans versus 12.3% with guideline adherence. Clinical relevance Current intensive imaging protocols may not improve patient outcomes, supporting potential reduction in follow-up imaging frequency to minimize radiation exposure and healthcare costs while maintaining adequate oncological surveillance.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Renal CellKidney NeoplasmsTomography, X-Ray ComputedFollow-Up StudiesHumansNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPractice Guidelines as TopicTreatment OutcomeComputed tomographyFollow-upRecurrences

Identifiers

PMID41649536
PMCPMC13282219

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.