Underutilization of partial nephrectomy for stage T1 renal cell carcinoma in the United States, trends from 2000 to 2008. A long way to go

Trends and Costs of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Kidney Cancer in the US: A Population-based Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze temporal trends and costs associated with the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for kidney cancer in the US over the past decade. To examine the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

The PearlDiver Mariner, a national database of insurance billing records, was queried for this retrospective observational cohort analysis. The MIS population was identified and stratified according to treatment modality, using International Classification of Diseases and current procedural terminology codes. SDOH were assessed using International Classification of Diseases codes. Negative binomial regression was used to evaluate the overall number of renal MIS and Cochran-Armitage tests to compare the utilization of different treatment modalities, over the study period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified predictors of perioperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 80,821 MIS for kidney cancer were included. Minimally invasive partial nephrectomy adoption as a fraction of total MIS increased significantly (slope of regression line, reg. = 0.026, P <.001). Minimally invasive radical nephrectomy ($26.9k ± 40.9k) and renal ablation ($18.9k ± 31.6k) were the most expensive and cheapest procedures, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of number of complications (P = .06) and presence of SDOH (P = .07) among the treatment groups. At multivariable analysis, patients with SDOH undergoing minimally invasive radical nephrectomy had higher odds of perioperative complications, while renal ablation had a significantly lower probability of perioperative complications.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the current management of kidney cancer in the US, offering a socioeconomic perspective on the impact of this disease in everyday clinical practice.

Assessing the impact of socio-economic determinants on access to care, surgical treatment options and outcomes among patients with renal mass: Insight from the universal healthcare system

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether socio-economic disparities exist on access to care, treatment options and outcomes among patients with renal mass amenable of surgical treatment within the universal healthcare system.

METHODS

Data of consecutive patients submitted to partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) at our Institution between 2017 and 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were grouped according to their income level (low, intermediate, and high) based on the Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation national criterion. Survival analysis was performed. Cox regression models were employed to analyse the impact of socio-economic variables on survival outcomes.

RESULTS

One thousand forty-two patients were included (841 PN and 201 RN). Patients at the lowest income level were found more likely symptomatic and with a higher pathological tumour stage in the RN cohort (p > 0.05). The guidelines adherence on surgical indication rate as well as the access to minimally invasive surgery did not differ according to patient's income level in both cohorts (p > 0.05). Survival curves were comparable among the groups. Cox regression analysis showed that none of the included socio-economic variables was associated with survival outcomes in our series.

CONCLUSIONS

Universal healthcare system may increase the possibility to ensure egalitarian treatment modalities for patients with renal cancer.

Effects of race and socioeconomic status on treatment for localized renal masses in New York City

INTRODUCTION

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the preferred treatment for localized renal masses (LRM), however its use is not uniform across patient socioeconomic (SES) factors. Our hypothesis is that the effect of increased SES on surgical management of LRMs in New York City (NYC) will not be the same for Black and White patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were identified from the New York State Cancer Registry (NYSPACED) treated for LRMs with PN or radical nephrectomy from 2004 to 2016. We identified patients' home neighborhoods through Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA) in NYSCAPED and used a US Census SES index. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of race and SES on receipt of PN, controlling for age, ethnicity, gender, and diagnosis year.

RESULTS

On unadjusted analyses, patients from higher PUMA SES quartiles were more likely to receive PN (OR = 1.07, P < 0.05), while Black patients were less likely to receive PN as compared to White patients (OR = 0.66, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed a significant interaction between race and SES quartile (interaction P = 0.005) such that the effect of PUMA SES on receipt of PN was modified by race. PN receipt for Black vs. White patients was significantly different within the highest SES quartile (OR = 0.44, P < 0.001), but not within the lowest.

CONCLUSION

In NYC, patients from higher SES quartile neighborhoods had significantly increased odds for receipt of PN for LRMs. As neighborhood SES quartile increased, White patients were significantly more likely to receive PN, while Black patients were not.

Kidney Cancer Incidence in California: End of the Trend?

Background and Objective: Since the 1990s, multiple studies have reported on an increased incidence of renal cell carcinomas (RCC), which has been considered incidental to the high use of abdominal diagnostic imaging. This population-based study used data from the California Cancer Registry to (i) update trends in RCC incidence and mortality by several tumor and demographic characteristics after reports of decreased use of diagnostic imaging in recent years, and (ii) examine changes in surgical treatment for early-stage RCC.

Methods: Records of patients diagnosed with RCC from 1988 through 2013 and mortality data from the same period were examined. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percent changes in age-adjusted RCC incidence and mortality rates, stratified by sex, race/ethnicity, stage at diagnosis, grade, and tumor size. Trends in the proportion of partial or total/radical nephrectomies were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage tests.

Results: A total of 77,363 incident cases of RCC and 28,590 deaths were evaluated. While mortality rates significantly decreased, the incidence of small localized RCC increased in virtually all groups examined after the mid-1990s until 2008-2009, when incidence trends stabilized in all groups concomitant with a decrease in imaging. The proportion of partial nephrectomies among patients with small localized tumors increased from 13.8% in 1988 to 74.6% in 2013.

Conclusions: Earlier trends in RCC were consistent with the incidental discovery of small tumors. In parallel with the increase in early-stage RCC, the use of partial nephrectomies increased markedly. Following the decreased use of advanced diagnostic imaging, the trend of increasing RCC incidence appears to have ended in California.

Effect of median household income on surgical approach and survival in renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether median household income (MHI) independently predicts surgical approach (partial vs. radical nephrectomy) and survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

The U.S. Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Database (1988-2011) was queried to examine kidney cancer cases and linked to the Area Health Resources File. We correlated surgical approach and survival, both overall and cancer-specific, with tumor stage, age, race, sex, and income data.

RESULTS

Of 152,589 patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, 24,221 (16%) patients underwent partial nephrectomy, 102,771 (67%) patients underwent radical nephrectomy, and 25,597 (17%) patients had no surgery. There was no significant difference in stage of presentation between the wealthiest and poorest MHI quartiles, with approximately 35% of patients in each quartile presenting with T1aN0M0 disease and 17% of patients presenting with metastatic disease. Despite this, 18% of patients in the wealthiest quartile underwent partial nephrectomy compared to 14% of patients in the poorest quartile. Although the percentage of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy rose over the timeframe studied in both the wealthiest and poorest quartiles, the rate of rise was highest in the wealthier group. Those in the poorest quartile were 0.10 times more likely to die of all causes (95% CI: 1.09-1.11, P<0.001) and 0.09 times more likely to die of kidney cancer (95% CI: 1.05-1.10, P<0.001) than those in the wealthiest quartile over the timeframe studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite presenting with similar stage, patients with lower MHI less commonly undergo partial nephrectomy and are more likely to die of kidney cancer than those in the highest MHIs.

Current Trends in Renal Surgery and Observation for Small Renal Masses

There has been a rising incidence of small renal masses and concomitant downward stage migration. This has led to an evolution in the management of kidney cancer from radical nephrectomy to nephron-sparing treatment options including observation. The adoption of partial nephrectomy continues to increase but is still incomplete leading to significant disparities in the delivery of care throughout the country. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice for small kidney cancers; however, ablative therapies and active surveillance are emerging as reasonable options for select patients. With continued refinements in treatment options and improvements in ability to risk stratify SRMs, the current treatment trends will likely continue to evolve.

Validation of 3D volumetric-based renal function prediction calculator for nephron sparing surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a recently published volume-based renal function prediction calculator intended to be used in small renal mass surgical counseling.

METHODS

Retrospective data collection included three-dimensional calculation of renal mass and parenchyma of patients who have undergone extirpative therapy. The predicted glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the online calculator. The predicted GFR was compared with the actual 6-month GFR. The Pearson correlation coefficient, paired t test and root-mean-square error (RMSE) are utilized for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

After institutional review board approval, three institutions provided data for analysis. After patients with renal mass size >300 cc, renal size >400 cc or preoperative CKD ≥stage 3 had been excluded, we retrospectively analyzed data from 136 patients. The median mass volume was 22.2 cc (IQR 7-49). In multiple linear regression analysis, the most significant variables predicting postoperative GFR were partial versus radical nephrectomy and preoperative GFR with an overall R² of .68 (F = 26.13, P < .001). The predicted GFR was 75.4 mL/min/1.73 m² compared to an actual GFR of 70.7 mL/min/1.73 m² (P < .001, paired t test). The predicted GFR was highly correlated with the actual postoperative GFR at 6 months (Pearson correlation, r = .65, P < .001). RMSE of the validation cohort was 16.87.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive tool to determine renal function benefit of nephron sparing surgery compared to radical nephrectomy online calculator effectively predicts GFR and could potentially be used to help urologists and patients discuss renal function prior to extirpative renal surgery.

Contemporary Use of Partial Nephrectomy: Are Older Patients With Impaired Kidney Function Being Left Behind?

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether patient factors, such as age and preoperative kidney function, were associated with receipt of partial nephrectomy in a national integrated healthcare system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified patients treated with a radical or partial nephrectomy from 2002 to 2014 in the Veterans Health Administration. We examined associations among patient age, sex, race or ethnicity, multimorbidity, baseline kidney function, tumor characteristics, and receipt of partial nephrectomy. We estimated the odds of receiving a partial nephrectomy and assessed interactions between covariates and the year of surgery to explore whether patient factors associated with partial nephrectomy changed over time.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 14,186 patients, 4508 (31.2%) received a partial nephrectomy. Use of partial nephrectomy increased from 17% in 2002 to 32% in 2008 and to 38% in 2014. Patient race or ethnicity, age, tumor stage, and year of surgery were independently associated with receipt of partial nephrectomy. Black veterans had significantly increased odds of receipt of partial nephrectomy, whereas older patients had significantly reduced odds. Partial nephrectomy utilization increased for all groups over time, but older patients and patients with worse baseline kidney function showed the least increase in odds of partial nephrectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although the utilization of partial nephrectomy increased for all groups, the greatest increase occurred in the youngest patients and those with the highest baseline kidney function. These trends warrant further investigation to ensure that patients at the highest risk of impaired kidney function are considered for partial nephrectomy whenever possible.

Racial Disparities in Partial Nephrectomy Persist Across Hospital Types: Results From a Population-based Cohort

OBJECTIVE

To assess the national utilization of partial nephrectomy (PN) for T1a renal masses across different racial groups by hospital type. Although clinical guidelines recommend PN for small renal masses (SRMs), racial disparities persist in the use of PN. High-volume and academic hospitals have been associated with greater use of PN for SRMs. However, it is unknown whether racial disparities persist in the use of PN across different types of hospitals.

METHODS

Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with localized T1a renal cancer (≤4 cm) from 1998 to 2011. The primary outcome was receipt of PN among patients surgically treated for SRMs. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess for racial differences in treatment with PN stratified by hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 118,207 patients diagnosed with clinical T1a renal masses, 36.5% underwent PN (n = 43,134). Overall, a greater proportion of white patients underwent PN (37.3%) compared with African-American (32.4%) and Hispanic (33.7%) patients with SRMs (P <.001). When stratified by hospital type, disparities persisted in the use of PN; African-American patients had lower adjusted odds ratios for being treated with PN when treated at comprehensive community cancer (odds ratio: 0.90; P = .003) and academic (odds ratio: 0.65; P <.001) hospitals compared with white patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based cohort, we found that racial disparities persist across all types of hospitals in the use of PN for SRMs. Further research is needed to identify, and target for intervention, the factors contributing to racial disparities in the surgical management of SRMs.

The Adoption of Nephron-Sparing Surgery in Europe - A Trend Analysis in Two Referral Centers from Austria and Germany

OBJECTIVE

To compare the trends of partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) in 2 European tertiary referral centers with regards to guideline changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1,573 patients who underwent RN or PN for localized (≤T2) renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were included. Logistic regression analyses assessed the predictors of PN and laparoscopy over time.

RESULTS

Out of the total, 1,013 patients (65.6%) were treated with RN and 560 patients (34.4%) with PN. Also, 1,233 patients (80%) had open surgery whereas 340 patients (22%) were treated with a laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic RN and PN were performed in 216 (13.7%) and 124 (7.8%) patients, respectively. T1b tumors were 73% less likely (p < 0.001) to be treated with PN compared to T1a tumors. The odds of undergoing PN or laparoscopy in 2008-2010 relative to 2000-2001 were 6.5-fold (p < 0.001) and 36-fold higher (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor size and year of surgery are independent predictors of PN in our cohort. Our data exemplify the adoption of PN for RCC in tertiary care centers in Austria and Germany in line with implemented guideline changes. The utilization of PN has increased over time regardless of surgical approach. Further studies need to address the use of robot-assisted surgery and care in community hospitals.

Evaluation of national trends in the utilization of partial nephrectomy in relation to the publication of the American Urologic Association guidelines for the management of clinical T1 renal masses

Background

Partial nephrectomy has been underutilized in the United States. We investigated national trends in partial nephrectomy (PN) utilization before and after publication of the American Urological Association (AUA) Practice Guideline for management of the clinical T1 renal mass.

Methods

We identified adult patients who underwent radical (RN) or PN from November 2007 to October 2011 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). PN prevalence was calculated prior to (11/2007-10/2009) and after Guidelines publication (11/2009-10/2011) and compared the rate of change by linear regression. We also examined the nephrectomy trends in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Statistical analysis included linear regression to determine point-prevalence of PN rates in CKD patients and logistic regression to identify variables associated with PN.

Results

During the study period, 30,944 patients underwent PN and 64,767 RN. The prevalence PN increased from 28.9% in the years prior to guideline release to 35.3% in the years following guideline release with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.24 (CI 1.01–1.54; p = 0.049). The rate of PN significantly increased throughout the study period (R² 0.15, p = 0.006): however, the rate of change was not increased after the guidelines. (p = 0.46). Overall rate of PN in patients with CKD did not increase over time (R² 0.0007, p = 0.99).

Conclusion

We noted a 6.4% absolute increase in PN after release of the AUA guidelines on clinical T1 renal mass was published; however, the rate of increase was not likely associated with guideline release. The rate of PN performed is increasing; however, further investigation regarding medical decision-making surrounding PN is needed.

[Controversies of partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma : survey in the German-speaking countries]

BACKGROUND

The goal of this study was to evaluate how partial nephrectomy is technically performed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

METHODS

A one-page anonymous questionnaire was designed to evaluate the indication, the technical procedure, and the follow-up of R1 situation after partial nephrectomy. Furthermore, the size of the hospitals and their catchment areas were recorded. The questionnaire was sent to 341 clinics and a statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The response rate was 69 %. Up to 99 % of the clinics also perform partial resection in T1b tumors. Of those responding, 58 % perform this surgery laparoscopically, and 83 % of the surgeries are performed in warm ischemia. For the follow-up, 29 % suggest imaging within the first 6 weeks. According to this survey, maximum care clinics perform laparoscopic nephrectomy more frequently (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The survey of 236 hospitals performing partial nephrectomy shows great variability in the indication, technique, and aftercare of organ-preserving renal tumor surgery. It also shows that a large proportion of tumors >4 cm undergo organ-preserving surgery, many of them minimally invasive. The diverse handling with positive instantaneous section and R1 results suggest the need for further studies concerning long-term follow-up after minimally invasive surgery with R1 situation and renal tumors > T1a.

National trends in the utilization of partial nephrectomy before and after the establishment of AUA guidelines for the management of renal masses

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines advocating partial nephrectomy for T1 tumors guidelines on the likelihood of undergoing partial nephrectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a dataset encompassing 20% of all United States inpatient hospitalizations, from 2007 through 2010. Our dependent variable was receipt of radical vs partial nephrectomy (55.50, 55.51, 55.52, and 55.54 vs 55.4) for a renal mass (International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision [ICD-9] code 189.0). The independent variable of interest was time of surgery (before or after the establishment of AUA guidelines); covariates included a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), overall comorbidity, age, race, gender, geographic region, income, and hospital characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the association between receipt of partial nephrectomy and time of guideline establishment.

RESULTS

We identified 26,165 patients with renal tumors who underwent surgery. Before the guidelines, 4031 patients (27%) underwent partial nephrectomy compared to 3559 (32%) after. On multivariable analysis, undergoing surgery after the establishment of guidelines (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.32, P <.01) was an independent predictor of partial nephrectomy. Other factors associated with partial nephrectomy were urban location, surgery at a teaching hospital, large hospital bed size, Northeast location, and Black race. Female gender and CKD were not associated with partial nephrectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although adoption of partial nephrectomy increased after establishment of new guidelines on renal masses, partial nephrectomy remains an underutilized procedure. Future research must focus on barriers to adoption of partial nephrectomy and how to overcome them.

Small tumour size is associated with new-onset chronic kidney disease after radical nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To investigate the impact of tumour size on postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 1371 patients who underwent RN between 1995 and 2010. Serum creatinine levels were measured preoperatively, within 7days of RN, at 3months, 1 and 3years. We divided patients into three groups based on tumour size: A: ⩽4cm, B: 4-7cm, C: >7cm. The changes in GFR were compared and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the predictive value of tumour size for new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD, GFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2)).

RESULTS

The preoperative GFR was significantly different among the three groups (A: 83.0, B: 82.0, C: 79.4ml/min/1.73m(2), P=0.040). The decrease in GFR from preoperative to within 7days was greater in group A than in groups B and C (28.2 versus 24.2 versus 18.5ml/min/1.73m(2), P<0.001). The GFR at 1year postoperative was lower in group A than in group C (58.4 versus 61.5ml/min/1.73m(2), P=0.009), in contrast to preoperative GFR. The incidence of GFR decrease >30% was higher in Group A than in Groups B and C at 1year (52.4% versus 41.5% versus 33.7%, P<0.001). On multivariate analysis Groups A and B had a 2.37-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-3.60, P<0.001) and 2.24-fold (95% CI 1.49-3.38, P<0.001) higher risk of new-onset CKD compared with Group C.

CONCLUSIONS

Small tumour size is associated with CKD after RN. Partial nephrectomy should be considered in patients with tumour size 7cm or less.

Image based feasibility of renal sparing surgery for very low risk unilateral Wilms tumors: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

PURPOSE

Nephrectomy with lymph node sampling is the recommended treatment for children with unilateral Wilms tumor under the Children's Oncology Group protocols. Using radiological assessment, we determined the feasibility of performing partial nephrectomy in a select group of patients with very low risk unilateral Wilms tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed imaging studies of 60 patients with a mean age of less than 2 years with very low risk unilateral Wilms tumor (mean weight less than 550 gm) to assess the feasibility of partial nephrectomy. We evaluated percentage of salvageable parenchyma, tumor location and anatomical features preventing a nephron sparing approach.

RESULTS

A linear relationship exists between tumor weight and computerized tomography estimated tumor volume. Mean tumor weight in the study population was 315 gm. Partial nephrectomy was deemed feasible in only 5 of 60 patients (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

When considering a select population with very low risk unilateral Wilms tumor (lower volume tumor), only a small percentage of nonpretreated patients are candidates for nephron sparing surgery.