Clinicopathological features and prognosis of synchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma: an international multicentre experience

OBJECTIVE: To present a multicentre experience and the largest cohort to date of nonmetastatic (N0M0) synchronous bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as because it is rare the single-institutional experience is limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 10 337 patients from 12 urological centres to identify patients with N0M0 synchronous bilateral RCC; the clinicopathological features and cancer-specific survival were compared to a cohort treated for N0M0 unilateral RCC. RESULTS: In all, 153 patients had synchronous bilateral solid renal tumours, of whom 135 (88%) had synchronous bilateral RCC, 118 with nonmetastatic disease; 91% had nonfamilial bilateral RCC. Bilateral clear cell RCC was the major histological subtype (76%), and papillary RCC was the next most frequent (19%). Multifocality was found in 54% of bilateral RCCs. Compared with unilateral RCC, patients did not differ in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) and T classification, but bilateral RCCs were more frequently multifocal (54% vs 16%, P < 0.001) and of the papillary subtype (19% vs 12%), and less frequently clear cell RCC (76% vs 83%, P = 0.005). For the outcome, patients with nonmetastatic synchronous bilateral RCC and unilateral RCC had a similar prognosis (P = 0.63); multifocality did not affect survival (P = 0.60). Multivariate analysis identified ECOG PS, T classification, and Fuhrman grade, but not laterality, as independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with N0M0 synchronous bilateral RCC and N0M0 unilateral RCC have a similar prognosis. The frequency of a familial history for RCC (von Hippel-Lindau disease or familial RCC) was significantly greater in bilateral synchronous than in unilateral RCC. The significant pathological findings in synchronous bilateral RCC are papillary subtype and multifocality.     

Histotype predicts the rate of lymph node invasion at nephrectomy in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma

BackgroundLymph node invasion (LNI) at nephrectomy is one of the most important predictors of mortality in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We analyzed the effect of histology on lymph node metastases at nephrectomy and its effect on survival in a contemporary cohort of patients with nonmetastatic RCC.MethodsWithin the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2015), we identified 100,060 patients with clear-cell, papillary, chromophobe, sarcomatoid, and collecting duct RCC, who underwent nephrectomy with or without lymph node dissection for nonmetastatic RCC. Logistic regression models, cumulative incidence plots, and competing-risks regression models were performed.ResultsOverall, 10,590 patients underwent lymph node dissection for nonmetastatic RCC. Of these, LNI was recorded in 52 (7.0%), 615 (8.7%), 282 (13.9%), 316 (25.1%), 129 (38.3%), 45 (71.4%) patients with chromophobe, clear-cell, nonotherwise specified RCC, papillary, sarcomatoid, and collecting duct RCC histological subtypes, respectively. In logistic regression models, relative to clear-cell, papillary Odds ratio (OR 3.9), sarcomatoid (OR 6.3), collecting duct (OR 14.6) but not chromophobe RCC (OR 0.9; P = 0.5) independently predicted LNI at surgery. Moreover, in competing-risks regression models, LNI increased the risk of CSM 1.8-fold for sarcomatoid, 3.6-fold for clear-cell, 4.1-fold for papillary, and 6.7-fold for chromophobe histological subtype.ConclusionsHistology is an independent predictor of increased risk of LNI at nephrectomy. Moreover, the effect of pathological nodal stage on survival differs according to different histology.     

Diagnosing primary and metastatic renal cell carcinoma: the use of the monoclonal antibody 'Renal Cell Carcinoma Marker'.

The diagnosis of primary or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be difficult, especially in small biopsies, because of the wide variety of histologic appearances and clinical presentations that RCC can assume. An immunomarker specific for RCC is currently not available. We tested the relevant diagnostic use of the Renal Cell Carcinoma Marker (RCC Ma), a monoclonal antibody, against a normal human proximal tubular brush border antigen. Immunostaining using RCC Ma and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique was performed on archival tissues from primary and metastatic tumors of renal or nonrenal origin. A total of 122 of 153 primary RCCs (79.7%) were positive [clear cell (84%), papillary (96%), chromophobe (45%), sarcomatoid (25%), and collecting duct (0%)], with > or =10% of tumor cells stained in 93% of cases. None of the 64 primary renal tumors other than RCC, including 15 oncocytomas, was positive. Fifteen of 146 (10.2%) nonrenal primary tumors were positive (5 of 17 breast tumors, 8 of 8 parathyroid adenomas, and 2 of 7 embryonal carcinomas). Forty-two of 63 (67%) metastatic RCCs were positive with > or =10% of cells being stained in 83% of them. Two of 108 (2%) metastases from tumors other than RCCs were positive, both of which were metastatic breast carcinomas; however, only 10% (2 of 19) of metastatic breast carcinomas were positive. RCC Ma is an excellent marker for primary RCC, which should facilitate its diagnosis in a small biopsy. Although RCC Ma remains highly specific (98%) for metastatic RCC, a negative result may not rule out metastatic RCC because of a rather low sensitivity and a focal staining pattern in some of the positive cases. RCC Ma may also facilitate the differential diagnosis between oncocytoma and other types of RCC when they are composed mostly of eosinophilic cells.     

Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of surgically excised renal masses in African Americans

ObjectivesIn the present study, we report on the clinical and pathological characteristics of African American (AA) patients with surgically excised renal masses and assess the associations between race and oncological outcomes.Methods and materialsWe conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for renal masses at our institution between 2000 and 2010. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on self-reported race: AA and non-AA. Patient demographics and disease characteristics, and overall, cancer-specific, recurrence-free, distant, and local recurrence-free survival for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were compared between AA and non-AA patients. Multivariable proportional hazard analyses were used to assess the associations of race with oncological outcomes.ResultsA total of 1,467 patients, of whom 359 (24.5%) were AA, were included. Rates of benign disease were comparable between AA patients and non-AA (18.2% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.556). AA patients presented with higher rates of localized disease (83% vs. 71%, P<0.001). Papillary subtype accounted for 40.8% of RCCs in AA patients compared with 11.6% in non-AA patients (P<0.001). The high proportion of papillary RCC in AA patients was maintained across disease stages. On univariable analyses, AA patients had better recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival. On multivariable analyses, AA race was not a significant predictor of oncological outcomes after adjusting for patient and disease characteristics.ConclusionIn this study, AA patients presented with more localized disease than non-AA patients, whereas rates of benign disease were comparable between the groups. Furthermore, AA patients had roughly 3 times higher rates of papillary RCC across disease stages. On univariable analyses, AA patients appeared to have more favorable oncological outcomes. However, this association is likely explained by tumor stage, grade, and histology as outcomes were similar across races when the analyses were adjusted for these and other characteristics.     

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: an examination of underlying histologic subtype and an analysis of associations with patient outcome

A sarcomatoid component can occur in all histologic subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and indicates an aggressive tumor. We studied 2381 patients treated with radical nephrectomy for RCC between 1970 and 2000. A urologic pathologist reviewed the microscopic slides from all tumor specimens for the presence of a sarcomatoid component, defined as a RCC with any malignant spindle cell component. All tumors with a sarcomatoid component were classified as nuclear grade 4. A total of 120 (5.0%) patients had RCC with a sarcomatoid component, including 94 who died of RCC at a mean of 1.4 years following nephrectomy (median 8 months; range 44 days to 10 years). Cancer-specific survival rates at 2 and 5 years following nephrectomy were 33.3% and 14.5%, respectively. The presence of distant metastases at the radical nephrectomy and histologic tumor necrosis were significantly associated with death from RCC among patients with sarcomatoid RCC. Patients with clear cell (conventional) RCC and chromophobe RCC were more likely to have tumors with a sarcomatoid component (5.2% and 8.7%, respectively) compared with patients with papillary RCC (1.9%). The presence of a sarcomatoid component was significantly associated with death from RCC for all three subtypes (P < 0.001). Even among patients with grade 4 clear cell RCC, the presence of a sarcomatoid component was significantly associated with outcome, both univariately (risk ratio 1.59; P = 0.010) and after adjusting for TNM stage, tumor size, and histologic tumor necrosis (risk ratio 1.46; P = 0.037).     

Head-to-head comparison of all the prognostic models recommended by the European Association of Urology Guidelines to predict oncologic outcomes in patients with renal cell carcinoma

ObjectivesEuropean Urology Association guidelines suggest the use of integrated prognostic systems to assess oncologic outcomes after surgery in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We performed a head-to-head comparison among all the EAU guidelines recommended prognostic models in RCC.MethodsThe study included 2,014 patients treated with surgery for clinically localized RCC. Patients were classified into prognostic risk groups, based on each of the five EAU guidelines recommended prognostic model definition, namely UISS, Leibovich 2003, VENUSS, GRANT, and Leibovich 2018 score. Prognostic accuracy of each prognostic model to predict clinical progression or cancer-specific mortality (CSM) was assessed, and ROC curves were calculated, according to histological subtype, namely clear-cell, papillary, and chromophobe RCC.ResultsOf 2,014 patients, 1,575 (78%) harboured clear-cell, 312 (16%) papillary, and 127 (6%) chromophobe RCC. Median follow-up was 66 months [Interquartile range (IQR): 29-120]. In clear-cell RCC, low-risk patients rates ranged from 21% to 64%, according prognostic model. The same phenomenon was observed for papillary and chromophobe RCC. In clear-cell RCC, Leibovich 2018 resulted the most accurate model in predicting clinical progression (88.1%) and CSM (86.8%). Conversely, VENUSS or UISS prognostic models predicting oncologic outcomes represented the most accurate in papillary (88.7% and 84.8%) or chromophobe (87.8% and 89.1%) RCC, respectively.ConclusionsA non-negligible difference in terms of performance accuracy exists among the EAU guidelines recommended prognostic models. Thus, their adoption in RCC should be histology-specific and follow-up strategies based on prognostic risk class appear justified only if the appropriate model is used to stratify patients into prognostic risk groups.     

Predictive factors for recurrence after complete metastasectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the targeted therapy era

ObjectivesComplete metastasectomy is expected to improve the survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, many patients develop re-recurrence, despite achieving complete remission with surgery. We examined recurrence-free survival (RFS) and analyzed predictive factors for recurrence after complete metastasectomy.MethodsFifty-one patients with mRCC who underwent complete metastasectomy between 2008 and 2018 were included in this study. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for RFS.ResultsOf 51 patients, 6 (12%) had multiple metastatic sites and 45 (88%) had solitary metastasis. The pathological subtype was clear cell in 42 (82%), papillary in 8 (17%), and other subtype in 1 (2%) patient. Sarcomatoid features were found in 2 (4%) patients. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk category was favorable in 43%, intermediate in 53%, and poor in 4% of patients. The median duration from nephrectomy to metastasectomy was 32 months. Of the total cohort, 39 patients (74%) developed recurrence after complete metastasectomy. The median RFS was 22 months, and the 2- and 5-year RFS rates were 45% and 25%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression revealed that ≥2 metastatic sites (vs. 1 site; HR = 4.52; P = 0.024) and sarcomatoid features (HR = 11.5; P = 0.0171) were independent predictive factors for recurrence. The 2- and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 98% and 82%, respectively.ConclusionThe number of metastatic sites and sarcomatoid features were associated with recurrence after complete metastasectomy, which suggests that careful observation is required for such patients, even after achieving complete remission with metastasectomy.     

肾癌的病理类型与预后的关系

目的探讨肾癌的病理类型与预后的关系。方法对315例肾癌患者根据病情选择相应的手术治疗和病理分型,并进行病例随访。以Kaplan-Meier法计算生存率。Cox回归模型对预后影响因子进行分析。结果其中透明细胞癌202例(71.9%),颗粒细胞癌51例(18.1%),混合性腺癌15例(5.3%),乳头状腺癌7例(2.5%),集合管癌4例(1.4%),肉瘤样肾癌2例(0.7%)。Cox回归模型多因素分析显示病理类型可能是一个独立的影响预后的因子。透明细胞癌、颗粒细胞癌和混合性腺癌患者的3年、5年生存率差别无统计学意义。7例乳头状腺癌仅1例死亡。4例集合管癌和2例肉瘤样癌均已死亡,两者平均存活时间分别为6.3和5.5月。结论肾癌的病理分型对预后有一定的预测价值;乳头状腺癌预后优于其他类型肾癌;集合管癌和肉瘤样癌预后较差。     

Ethnic variation of the histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma in Singapore

IntroductionThe purpose of this study is to determine how the histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) vary among the heterogeneous Singaporean population and how this affects the survival rate.Patients and methodsThe data analyzed in this retrospective study of the histological subtypes of RCC cases treated in Singapore General Hospital over a ten year period (2001–2010) were obtained from the Cancer Registry of the hospital's department of urology. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package Service Solution (SPSS) version 17.0 software. Chi Square and z-tests were used where appropriate; a p value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe records of 676 patients studied showed that 80.8% of the patients were Chinese, while Malays, Indians and other minor groups accounted for 6.5%, 4.6% and 8.1%, respectively. The mean age (SD) at presentation was 58.1 (12.1), 57.6 (10) and 55.1 (9.6) years for the Chinese, Indians and Malays, respectively. The commonest histological variant in each of the ethnic groups, irrespective of sex, was clear cell carcinoma which accounted for 79.7% of all the histological subtypes found in Chinese, for 70.5% in Malaysian and 77.4% in Indian patients. The sarcomatoid histological subtype was found in 4.3% of the studied population with a high prevalence in the Indian ethnicity (9.7%). The worst survival rate (33.3%) was recorded among Malays with the papillary cell subtype, and also in the Chinese population the highest mortality rate was found in cases with the papillary cell subtype (16.9%).ConclusionThe commonest histological subtype of RCC in each of the studied ethnic groups in Singapore is clear cell carcinoma. However, most of the cancer deaths in Chinese (16.9%) and Malays (66.7%) were associated with the papillary cell type, while in Indians the sarcomatoid component prevailed (9.7%). Thus, the usual prognostic trend for RCC subtypes cannot be applied to all Singaporean ethnicities, necessitating individualization of prognosis for each group.     

Prognostic significance of the Heidelberg classification of renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The specific genetic alterations characterising renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have lead to the recognition of distinctive types of tumours. In a large material of patients, the prognostic and clinical information of these different tumour types were evaluated. METHODS: Tumours from 186 patients were evaluated retrospectively according to the guidelines given by the Heidelberg Classification Conference. All patients were primarily nephrectomised and TNM staged, and the follow-up times for alive patients varied between 44 and 174 months. RESULTS: The material consisted of 145 conventional (non-papillary), 25 papillary, 12 chromophobe and 4 unclassified RCCs. There was no difference in tumour size between the different RCC types. Among patients with conventional RCC, 37% had distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, significantly more frequently than 16% in patients with papillary and 8% in chromophobe RCC (p = 0.044 and 0.048, respectively). Conventional RCC more frequently had vein invasion compared with papillary RCC (p = 0.009). Patients with chromophobe and papillary RCC survived significantly longer than patients with conventional RCC (p = 0.017 and 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A significant difference in clinical behaviour between the different RCC types was found. Patients with conventional RCC had a higher incidence of metastases, vein invasion and had adverse survival compared with papillary and chromophobe RCCs. Thus, the RCC types recognised by specific genetic alterations seem to represent different malignant phenotypes.     

Metastatic potential of a renal mass according to original tumour size at presentation

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE ? To determine the metastatic potential of renal masses based on original tumour size. MATERIALS AND METHODS ? We identified 2651 patients who had undergone surgical resection for a unilateral, sporadic renal tumour between 1990 and 2006. ? Associations of tumour size with synchronous metastasis at presentation [M1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC)] and development of metastases, death from RCC, and death from any cause after surgery were evaluated using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS ? Of the 2651 patients studied, 182 (6.9%) presented with M1 RCC. Tumour size was significantly greater in patients with M1 RCC than in patients with M0 RCC (a median size of 10 vs 4.5 cm; P < 0.001). Only 1 of the 629 patients (0.2%) with a tumour <3 cm had M1 RCC and that tumour was 2.5 cm. The risk of M1 RCC increased from 1.1% for patients with tumours 3–3.9 cm to 16.5% for patients with tumours ≥7 cm. ? Of the 2124 patients with M0 RCC, 430 developed distant metastases at a median (range) of 1.4 (0.1–16.2) years after surgery. Only 9 of the 498 patients (1.8%) with a tumour <3 cm developed distant metastases after surgery. ? Each 1‐cm increase in tumour size increased the risk of death from RCC by 20%[hazard ratio (HR) 1.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.22; P < 0.001] and death from any cause by 10% (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.09–1.12; P < 0.001). ? For the 1346 patients who were still alive at last follow‐up, the median (range) duration of follow‐up was 6.9 (0.1–19.7) years. CONCLUSIONS ? Tumour size is significantly associated with metastases in patients with renal masses. ? Patients with tumours <3 cm have a low risk of synchronous metastatic disease.     

Commentary on “Racial disparity in renal cell carcinoma patient survival according to demographic and clinical characteristics.” Chow WH,Shuch B,Linehan WM,Devesa SS,Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics,National Cancer Institute,Bethesda, MD.: Cancer 2013; 119(2):388–94. [Epub 2012 Nov 12]. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27690.

BackgroundPatients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who are black tend to have poorer prognosis than similar patients who are white. This study examined whether the racial disparity in RCC patient survival varies by demographic and clinical characteristics.MethodsNearly 40,000 patients (4359 black and 34,991 white) diagnosed with invasive RCC from 1992 to 2007 were identified from 12 registries in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, covering approximately 14% of the US population. Relative survival rates through 2008 were computed using the actuarial method.ResultsProportionally more blacks than whites were diagnosed with RCC under age 50 and with localized cancer. Overall, the 5-year relative survival rates were 72.6% (95% confidence interval 72.0%-73.2%) for white and 68.0% (66.2%-69.8%) for black patients. Survival was higher among women than men and among younger than older patients. Survival decreased with advancing tumor stage and, within each stage, decreased with increasing tumor size. Patients with clear cell RCC, a more common form among whites, had poorer prognosis than patients with papillary or chromophobe subtypes, which are more common among blacks. Survival for patients who received no surgical treatment (10.5% of white patients and 14.5% of black patients) was substantially lower than for patients treated with nephrectomy, with similar survival among whites and blacks. In all other demographic and clinical subgroups of patients, whites consistently had a survival advantage over blacks.ConclusionsPatients with RCC who are white consistently have a survival advantage over those RCC patients who are black, regardless of age, sex, tumor stage or size, histological subtype, or surgical treatment.     

Thermal ablation for small renal masses: Identifying the most appropriate tumor size cut-off for predicting perioperative and oncological outcomes

ObjectivesTo test TRIFECTA achievement [1) absence of CLAVIEN-DINDO ≥3 complications; 2) complete ablation; 3) absence of ≥30% decrease in eGFR] and local recurrence rates, according to tumor size, in patients treated with thermal ablation (TA: radiofrequency [RFA] and microwave ablation [MWA]) for small renal masses.MethodsRetrospective analysis (2008–2020) of 432 patients treated with TA (RFA: 162 vs. MWA: 270). Tumor size was evaluated as: 1) continuously coded variable (cm); 2) tumor size strata (0.1–2 vs. 2.1–3 vs. 3.1-4 vs. >4 cm). Multivariable logistic regression models and a minimum P-value approach were used for testing TRIFECTA achievement. Kaplan-Meier plots depicted local recurrence rates over time.ResultsOverall, 162 (37.5%) vs. 140 (32.4%) vs. 82 (19.0%) vs. 48 (11.1%) patients harboured, respectively, 0.1 to 2 vs. 2.1 to 3 vs. 3.1 to 4 vs. >4 cm tumors. In multivariable logistic regression models, increasing tumor size was associated with higher rates of no TRIFECTA achievement (OR:1.11; P< 0.001). Using a minimum P-value approach, an optimal tumor size cut-off of 3.2 cm was identified (P< 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression models, 3.1 to 4 cm tumors (OR:1.27; P< 0.001) and >4 cm tumors (OR:1.49; P< 0.001), but not 2.1 to 3 cm tumors (OR:1.05; P= 0.3) were associated with higher rates of no TRIFECTA achievement, relative to 0.1 to 2 cm tumors. The same results were observed in separate analyses of RFA vs. MWA patients. After a median (IQR) follow-up time of 22 (12–44) months, 8 (4.9%), 8 (5.7%), 11 (13.4%), and 5 (10.4%) local recurrences were observed in tumors sized 0.1 to 2 vs. 2.1 to 3 vs. 3.1 to 4 vs. >4 cm, respectively (P= 0.01).ConclusionA tumor size cut-off value of ≤3 cm is associated with higher rates of TRIFECTA achievement and lower rates of local recurrence over time in patients treated with TA for small renal masses.     

Rare expression of KIT and absence of KIT mutations in high grade renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: RCCs with sarcomatoid differentiation have been reported to frequently express KIT protein, suggesting that imatinib mesylate (STI-571 or Gleevectrade mark) may be effective treatment for these aggressive tumors. We determined the frequency of KIT expression and mutation in a large series of high grade RCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 194 patients who underwent nephrectomy for unilateral, sporadic nuclear grade 4 RCC between 1970 and 2002, including 123 with sarcomatoid differentiation. Sections from representative paraffin embedded tissue blocks were immunostained in an autostainer using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid antigen retrieval, a polyclonal KIT antibody and the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Mutational analysis was performed in all immunopositive and select negative cases by polymerase chain reaction amplification of KIT exons 9, 11, 13 and 17. RESULTS: Only 7 tumors (3.6%) showed KIT expression, including 5 of the 123 (4.1%) with sarcomatoid differentiation. Four of the 7 tumors showed focal staining only. No mutations were identified in the 7 positive cases or in 8 randomly selected negative samples. Death from RCC occurred in all 7 patients with KIT positive tumors at a median of 0.6 years (range 0.3 to 2.3) and in 139 of 187 with KIT negative tumors at a median of 0.8 years (range 0 to 10.2). CONCLUSIONS: KIT expression was identified in less than 5% of high grade RCCs with or without sarcomatoid differentiation but none of the tumors showed KIT mutations. These findings indicate that imatinib therapy is unlikely to be effective in patients with high grade RCC.     

Suspicious thyroid nodules 4 cm require a diagnostic lobectomy regardless of their benign fine needle aspiration results

Background/objectiveThe diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) seems limited in large thyroid nodules with Bethesda Cat. 2 result. We aimed to determine the incidence of carcinoma with benign cytology and the reason for the high false-positive rate in thyroid nodules ≥4 cm.MethodsThe records of 103 patients with thyroid nodules ≥4 cm with preoperative cytological diagnosis of Bethesda Cat. 2 who underwent thyroidectomy were consecutively reviewed. Characteristics between patients with malignant vs. benign pathology were compared.ResultsForty patients (38.8%) had malignancy. Malignancy was subclassified into follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (43%), minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma (20.0%), and minimally invasive Hurthle cell thyroid carcinoma (10.9%). Patients with malignant cytology had significantly more suspicious ultrasound findings than those with benign cytology (p = 0.001).ConclusionsPreoperative FNAB showed high false-negative rates in patients with thyroid nodules ≥4 cm with benign cytology. These nodules have a high malignancy rate with suspicious ultrasound findings.     

CT evaluation of patent artery after percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma

PurposeThe purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of persistent patent artery after percutaneous cryoablation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the relationship between patent arteries one month after cryoablation and early tumor progression.Materials and methodsOne hundred and fifty-nine patients (112 men, 47 women; mean age, 63.6 ± 14.6 [SD] years; age range: 21–91 years) who underwent percutaneous cryoablation for 186 RCCs (mean diameter, 1.9 ± 0.6 [SD] cm; range: 0.7–4.0 cm) were retrospectively included. After cryoablation, patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with ≤ 2-mm slice thickness within one week from cryoablation, and at one, three, and six months. The time course of patent artery in the ablated renal parenchyma after cryoablation was the primary endpoint. The relationships between patent arteries one month after cryoablation and treatment effectiveness, tumor vascularity, tumor enhancement one month after cryoablation, tumor subtype, and renal function changes were evaluated as secondary endpoints.ResultsCT showed patent arteries in the ablated renal parenchyma within one week in 166 RCCs (89.2%), at one month in 54 RCCs (29.0%), at three months in 8 RCCs (4.3%), and at six months in 2 RCCs (1.1%). The presence of patent artery one month after cryoablation was significantly associated with tumor enhancement at the same time point (P = 0.015). There was no association between patent arteries one month after cryoablation and treatment effectiveness (P = 0.693).ConclusionPatent arteries in the ablated renal parenchyma are commonly observed on CT examination after percutaneous cryoablation of RCC. However, they gradually disappear and do not require specific treatment.     

Survival in patients with rare subtypes of renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the survival of patients with rare malignant histological subtypes of renal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Heidelberg classification of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) divides tumours into clear cell carcinoma (CCC), papillary cancer (PC), chromophobic cancer (ChC) and collecting duct carcinoma (CDC). Sarcomatoid tumours are in a different subgroup treated as a final stage of histological progression. Between 1990 and 1997, 319 nephrectomies were undertaken because of RCC in 317 patients. In 42 patients (13%) the pathological findings showed other than CCC; in 13 PC was confirmed histologically, in nine ChC, in 11 a mixed type of CCC and sarcomatoid type, in seven a sarcomatoid tumour and in four, CDC. RESULTS: One patient of the 13 with PC and two of the nine with ChC died. The worst prognosis was in those with CDC, CCC-sarcomatoid and sarcomatoid tumours, as all these patients died. CONCLUSION: The histopathological differentiation of RCC into subtypes gives additional useful prognostic information.     

Histological subtyping and nuclear grading of renal cell carcinoma and their implications for survival: a retrospective nation-wide study of 629 patients

OBJECTS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the current WHO histological subtyping and Fuhrman nuclear grading on the survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective population-based study was carried out on all patients with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of RCC in Iceland between 1971 and 2000. Fuhrman grade, TNM stage, and survival were evaluated and multivariate analysis applied in order to determine prognostic factors. RESULTS: Out of 629 patients (387 males, 242 females, mean age 64 years), 558 (88.7%) had clear cell, 53 (8.4%) papillary, and 13 (2.1%) chromophobe RCC. Patient demographics were comparable for the two major subtypes, but chromophobe RCCs were larger in size and were diagnosed at a younger age. Clear cell RCCs were more often of higher grades (G3+G4, 48.4%) and at advanced TNM stages (III+IV, 59.3%) than papillary RCCs (22.6% and 34% respectively, p<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between grade, tumor size, and stage (p<0.001). Chromophobe RCCs had a better survival in univariate analysis than both papillary and clear cell RCCs (84.6% vs. 66.5% and 54.9% 5-year disease specific survival, p<0.001). However, in the multivariate analysis, only the patient's age, calendar year of diagnosis, TNM stage, and nuclear grade were independent prognostic factors of survival. CONCLUSION: In this complete nation-wide series nuclear grading is important in predicting survival of patients with RCC. It is strongly related to both tumor size and stage, with stage being by far the strongest prognostic factor. Different histological subtypes confer different survival. However, in spite of the distinctive cytogenetic and molecular characteristics of the subtypes, the survival difference is to a large extent due to differences in grade and particularly stage.     

Molecular biomarkers for advanced renal cell carcinoma: implications for prognosis and therapy

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine reliable predictive biomarkers for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) who had received cytokine therapy.MethodsTissue specimens were obtained from 62 patients with metastatic RCCs between 1995 and 2006. Paraffin wax embedded tissues were immunostained for carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).ResultsFifty-two specimens (84%) were assessed as clear cell type, with 5, 3, and 2 tumors showing sarcomatoid, papillary, and undifferentiated features, respectively. With a median 54 months of follow-up, 15/18 responding patients (83%) exhibited high CAIX staining compared with only 24/44 (55%) nonresponding patients (odds ratio, OR, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.1–16.5, P = 0.04). There was a positive correlation between maximal COX-2 intensity and response for cytokine therapy (Spearman test P = 0.001; ρ = 0.408). Corrected calcium level ≤ 10 mg/dl (hazard ratio, HR, 0.1; 95% CI 0.15–0.28; P < 0.001), normal hemoglobin level (HR 0.30; 95% CI 0.15–0.50; P = 0.001), and COX-2 expression ≥ 50% (HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15–0.70; P = 0.008) were significant predictive factors of prolonged overall survival.ConclusionsThus, COX-2 and CAIX seem to be important predictors of outcome in patients with metastatic RCCs and might enhance the prognostic information obtained from pathology specimens.