Search

Background: We aimed to determine the prognostic role of tumor size in patients with stage pT3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC)., Patients and Methods: We analyzed our database of patients who underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC between July 2000 and December 2013. Clinical and pathologic data were obtained for each patient. Patients with stage pT3a disease were divided into 2 subgroups according to the most informative threshold for pathologic tumor dimension that was able to predict survival outcomes (group 1, ≤ 8 cm; group 2, > 8 cm)., Results: Globally, 185 consecutive patients were evaluated. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up was 32 months (18-62 months). The median (IQR) pathologic tumor size was 7.5 cm (5.7-10 cm). Seventy (34.3%) patients died of RCC during the follow-up period. Patients in group 2 experienced worse cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates compared with those in group 1, (5- and 10- year CSS, 52% and 40% vs. 67% and 63%, respectively; P = .001). Overall survival (OS) rates were significantly lower for patients included in group 2 compared with patients in group 1 (5- and 10- year OS rates, 46% and 38% vs. 60% and 57%, respectively; P = .01). Subgroup stratification (hazard ratio [HR], 3.65; P < .001), presence of positive surgical margins (HR, 3.86; P = .22), high Fuhrman grade (HR, 4.33; P < .001), and the presence of sarcomatoid cells (HR, 2.61; P = .02) were found to be independent predictors of CSS., Conclusion: Worse oncologic outcomes are observed in patients with stage pT3a RCC tumors > 8 cm. The current TNM classification still does not precisely correlate with CSS. Tumor size should be taken into account in a future revision of the TNM staging system., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to provide outcomes of patients managed using active surveillance (AS) for small renal masses (SRMs)., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 62 patients diagnosed with 64 contrast enhancing SRMs suspicious for renal cell carcinoma. We evaluated the differences between patients who remained on AS and those who underwent delayed surgical intervention., Results: The mean age of patients was 75 years and the mean follow-up was 91.5 months. The median tumor size and the median estimated tumor volume were 2.6 cm and 8.7 cm(3), respectively. The median linear growth rate and the median volumetric growth rate were 0.7 cm/y and 8.8 cm(3)/y, respectively. The mean linear and volumetric growth rates of the group of patients who underwent surgery was higher than in those who remained on surveillance (1.9 vs. 0.4 cm/y and 16.1 vs. 4.6 cm(3)/y, respectively; P < .001)., Conclusion: Most SRMs show an indolent course, with low metastatic potential. Faster linear and volumetric growth rates could be the expression of malignant disease, thus suggesting the need for a delayed surgical intervention. AS is a reasonable option for the management of SRMs in properly selected patients with low life expectancy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)