Nephrectomy improves overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in cases of favorable MSKCC or ECOG prognostic features

Understanding and integrating cytoreductive nephrectomy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the management of metastatic RCC

Cytoreductive nephrectomy became accepted as standard of care for selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) because of improved survival observed in patients treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy in combination with interferon-α in two randomized clinical trials published in 2001. Over the past two decades, novel systemic therapies have shown higher treatment response rates and improved survival outcomes compared with interferon-α. During this rapid evolution of mRCC treatments, systemic therapies have been the primary focus of clinical trials. Results from multiple retrospective studies continue to suggest an overall survival benefit for selected patients treated with nephrectomy in combination with systemic mRCC treatments, with the notable exception of one debated clinical trial. The optimal timing for surgery is unknown, and proper patient selection remains crucial to improving surgical outcomes. As systemic therapies continue to evolve, clinicians have an increasing need to understand how to incorporate cytoreductive nephrectomy into the management of mRCC.

An Overview of Systemic Targeted Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma, with a Focus on Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and Brain Metastases

The most commonly diagnosed malignancy of the urinary system is represented by renal cell carcinoma. Various subvariants of RCC were described, with a clear-cell type prevailing in about 85% of all RCC tumors. Patients with metastases from renal cell carcinoma did not have many effective therapies until the end of the 1980s, as long as hormonal therapy and chemotherapy were the only options available. The outcomes were unsatisfactory due to the poor effectiveness of the available therapeutic options, but then interferon-alpha and interleukin-2 showed treatment effectiveness, providing benefits but only for less than half of the patients. However, it was not until 2004 that targeted therapies emerged, prolonging the survival rate. Currently, new technologies and strategies are being developed to improve the actual efficacy of available treatments and their prognostic aspects. This article summarizes the mechanisms of action, importance, benefits, adverse events of special interest, and efficacy of immunotherapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, with a focus on brain metastases.

The Evolving Landscape of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been studied intensively over the past few decades. Interestingly, the opinion with regard to the importance of this procedure has switched from a recommendation as a standard of care to an almost complete refutation. However, no definitive agreement on cytoreductive nephrectomy, including the pros and cons of the procedure, has been reached, and the topic remains highly controversial. With the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors, we have experienced a paradigm shift, with immunotherapy playing a crucial role in the treatment algorithm. Nevertheless, obtaining results from prospective clinical trials on the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy requires time, and once some data have been gathered, the standards of systemic therapy may be different, and we stand again at the beginning. This review summarizes current knowledge on the topic in the light of newly evolving treatment strategies. The crucial point is to recognize who could be an appropriate candidate for immediate cytoreductive surgery that may facilitate the effect of systemic therapy through tumor debulking, or who might benefit from deferred cytoreduction in the setting of an objective response of the tumor. The role of prognostic factors in management decisions as well as the technical details associated with performing the procedure from a urological perspective are discussed. Ongoing clinical trials that may bring new evidence for transforming therapeutic paradigms are listed.

Integrating Surgery in the Multidisciplinary Care of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

The role of surgery for patients with locally advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not precisely defined in our contemporary era of systemic therapies. Research in this field is focused on the role of regional lymphadenectomy, along with indications and timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy and metastasectomy. As our understanding of the molecular and immunological basis of RCC continues to develop along with the advent of novel systemic therapies, prospective clinical trials will be critical in defining how surgery should be integrated into the treatment paradigm of advanced RCC.

Management of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background The behavior of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is unpredictable and elusive. International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) scores, histological subtypes, and targeted therapy predict survival and prognosis. However, there is a paucity of literature from the Indian subcontinent on mRCC outcomes. Therefore, this prospective study reports overall survival outcomes and complications due to targeted therapy of mRCC from a single tertiary care center. Methodology Between 2015 and 2020, 110 patients were included in the study. The treatment was based on the IMDC. Cytoreductive nephrectomy was done in 30 patients, and renal mass biopsy was done in 80 patients. Six were lost to follow-up after histopathological diagnosis, and targeted therapy was administered to 104 patients (sunitinib in 41, sorafenib in 33, and pazopanib in 30). During targeted therapy, six died within 30 days of treatment. The overall survival outcomes and complications due to targeted therapy were analyzed. Results The mean overall survival was 21.52 months with a 95% confidence interval of 17.04-25.98 months. Six variables significantly correlated with inferior survival in univariable Cox regression analysis. Weight loss, hemoglobin, platelet count, lung metastasis, and ≥2 visceral metastases were associated with poor outcomes. Performance status >2 and lung metastasis predicted poor outcomes in multivariate analysis. Overall survival was 24.52 months in clear cell carcinoma versus 21.39 months (13.32-29.45 months) in papillary cell carcinoma, which was not significant. Conclusions IMDC groups show significant differences in overall survival. The histological subtypes and types of targeted therapy did not differ in overall survival, and the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation correlated with poor prognosis concerning IMDC.

The prognostic value of the previous nephrectomy in pretreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving immunotherapy: a sub-analysis of the Meet-URO 15 study

BACKGROUND

Nephrectomy is considered the backbone of managing patients with localized and selected metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The prognostic role of nephrectomy has been widely investigated with cytokines and targeted therapy, but it is still unclear in the immunotherapy era.

METHODS

We investigated the Meet-URO-15 study dataset of 571 pretreated mRCC patients receiving nivolumab as second or further lines about the prognostic role of the previous nephrectomy (received in either the localized or metastatic setting) in the overall population and according to the Meet-URO score groups.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent nephrectomy showed a significantly reduced risk of death (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32-0.60, p < 0.001) with a longer median overall survival (OS) (35.9 months vs 12.1 months), 1-year OS of 71.6% vs 50.5% and 2-years OS of 56.5% vs 22.0% compared to those who did not. No significant interaction between nephrectomy and the overall five Meet-URO score risk groups was observed (p = 0.17). It was statistically significant when merging group 1 with 2 and 3 and group 4 with 5 (p = 0.038) and associated with a longer OS for the first three prognostic groups (p < 0.001), but not for groups 4 and 5 (p = 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests an overall positive impact of the previous nephrectomy on the outcome of pretreated mRCC patients receiving immunotherapy. The clinical relevance of cytoreductive nephrectomy, optimal timing and patient selection deserves further investigation, especially for patients with Meet-URO scores of 1 to 3, who are the once deriving benefit in our analyses. However, that benefit is not evident for IMDC poor-risk patients (including the Meet-URO score groups 4 and 5) and a subgroup of IMDC intermediate-risk patients defined as group 4 by the Meet-URO score.

The Role of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Renal Cell Carcinoma with Sarcomatoid Histology: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background: Renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation represents a rare histological entity characterized by aggressive behavior, limited efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors or mTOR inhibitors, and poor outcome. The immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy regimen combining ipilimumab with nivolumab represents a new standard of care for this patient population due to a hitherto unprecedented response rate and overall survival. On the other hand, the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, in particular, with sarcomatoid histology, remains controversial. Patient and Methods: In the present case series, we report six patients with locally advanced or synchronous metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma and intermediate or poor International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk score, five of whom were successfully subjected to cytoreductive nephrectomy. Results: All six patients received the combination regimen of ipilimumab with nivolumab. Five of these patients underwent upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy followed by systemic treatment without any significant delay, with a durable treatment outcome. Notably, two patients with poor prognostic features achieved a long-term major partial response to therapy. We also performed a review of the literature on optimal treatment strategies for patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Herein, we highlight the feasibility of performing cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with intermediate/poor prognosis metastatic renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation followed by immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab. To enhance the chances of immunotherapy success, cytoreductive nephrectomy should also be considered for patients presenting with a disease with adverse prognostic parameters.

Selection of Optimal Candidates for Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Predictive Model Based on SEER Database

Background

Currently, the progress of targeted drugs in the treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) is limited. Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN), as an alternative treatment, can improve the prognosis of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to some extent. However, it is unclear which patients would benefit from this tumor reduction operation. As a consequence, we developed a predictive model to identify patients who may well benefit from CN in terms of survival.

Methods

We identified patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma retrospectively from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2010–2015) and classified them into surgery and non-surgery groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline characteristics. Patients who survived longer than the median overall survival (OS) of no-surgery group were defined as surgical-benefit patients. Then, we developed a predictive model based on preoperative characteristics using multivariable Logistic regression. Calibration curves and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) were used to evaluate the efficiency of the predictive model. The clinical value of the nomogram was assessed utilizing decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Our study collected 5544 patients from the SEER database, with 2352(42.4%) receiving cytoreductive surgery. Overall survival (OS) was longer in the CN group than in the non-surgery group after 1:1 propensity scoring matching (median OS: 19 months vs 7 months; hazard ratio (HR) =0.4106, P< 0.001). In the matched surgery group, 65.7% (367) patients survived more than 7 months after the operation and they were considered to benefit from CN. The predictive model performed well on both the training group (AUC=73.4%) and the validation group (AUC=71.9%) and the calibration curves indicated a high degree of consistency. The decision curve analysis curve demonstrated the clinical utility. We classified surgical patients into the beneficial group and non-beneficial group by using the predictive model, then discovered a substantial difference in OS between the two groups.

Conclusions

We developed a nomogram to select ideal mccRCC patients who might benefit from cytoreductive nephrectomy. Clinicians could make a more precise treatment strategy for mccRCC patients.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy and exposure to sunitinib - a post hoc analysis of the Immediate Surgery or Surgery After Sunitinib Malate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer (SURTIME) trial

OBJECTIVE

To analyse if exposure to sunitinib in the Immediate Surgery or Surgery After Sunitinib Malate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer (SURTIME) trial, which investigated opposite sequences of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) and systemic therapy, is associated with the overall survival (OS) benefit observed in the deferred CN arm.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A post hoc analysis of SURTIME trial data. Variables analysed included number of patients receiving sunitinib, time from randomisation to start sunitinib, overall response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, and duration of drug exposure and dose in the intention-to-treat population of the immediate and deferred arm. Descriptive methods and 95% confidence-intervals (CI) were used.

RESULTS

In the deferred arm, 97.7% (95% CI 89.3-99.6%; n = 48) received sunitinib vs 80% (95% CI 66.9-88.7%, n = 40) in the immediate arm. Following immediate CN, 19.6% progressed 4 weeks after CN and the median time to start sunitinib was 39.5 vs 4.5 days in the deferred arm. At week 16, 46.0% had progressed at metastatic sites in the immediate CN arm vs 32.7% in the deferred arm. Sunitinib dose reductions, escalations and interruptions were not statistically significantly different between arms. Among patients who received sunitinib in the immediate or deferred arm the median total sunitinib treatment duration was 172.5 vs 248 days. Reduction of target lesions was more profound in the deferred arm.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison to the deferred CN approach, immediate CN impairs administration, onset, and duration of sunitinib. Starting with systemic therapy leads to early and more profound disease control and identification of progression prior to planned CN, which may have contributed to the observed OS benefit.

Prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Model development and external validation with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center model and the international metastatic renal cell carcinoma database consortium model

To develop a new prognostic model for the overall survival of patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) using Korean Renal Cancer Study Group (KRoCS) database and compared it with 2 renowned prognostic models: the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the international metastatic renal cell carcinoma database consortium (IMDC) models.Data of 790 patients diagnosed with mRCC and receiving targeted therapy as their first-line treatment were pooled to this study. Data from 4 hospitals (n = 619) were used to develop the new model and those from other 5 hospitals (n = 171) were used for external validation. After detecting prognostic factors in multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, patients were classified into 3 risk groups, favorable (0), intermediate (1-2), and poor (3 and more) by the number of prognostic factors.Seven variables such as more than 2 metastasis sites, no prior nephrectomy, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, low hemoglobin, high serum corrected calcium, high neutrophil, high serum alkaline phosphatase were identified as prognostic factors for poor overall survival. Also, risk groups were categorized into 3 groups; median overall survival was 61.1 months in favorable, 26.5 months in intermediate, and 6.8 months in poor group. KRoCS ranked the first in all 3 statistical parameters including akaike information criterion (AIC), concordance index and generalized R2 among other prognostic models.We developed the KRoCS model and validated it externally with demonstrating its superiority over MSKCC and IMDC models. The KRoCS model can provide useful information for counseling patients with clear cell mRCC regarding life-expectancy.

The current role of cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

The management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) continues to be a therapeutic challenge; however, the options for systemic therapy in this setting have exploded over the past 20 years. From the advent of toxic cytokine therapy to the subsequent discovery of targeted therapy (TT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the landscape of viable treatment options continues to progress. With the arrival of cytokine therapy, two randomized trials demonstrated a survival benefit for upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) plus interferon therapy and this approach became the standard for surgical candidates. However, it was difficult to establish the role and the timing of CN with the subsequent advent of TT, just a few years later. More recently, two randomized phase III studies completed in the TT era questioned the use of CN and brought to light the role of risk stratification while selecting patients for CN. Careful identification of the mRCC patients who are likely to have a rapid progression of the disease is essential, as these patients need prompt systemic therapy. With the continued advancement of systemic therapy using the immune checkpoint inhibitors as a first line therapy, the role of CN will continue to evolve.

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy and Overall Survival of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Targeted Therapy-Data from the National Renis Registry

Simple Summary

The treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma is traditionally initiated with the removal of the diseased kidney with the tumor in many patients. However, there is ongoing controversy about the benefit of kidney removal if targeted therapy is used. The present paper analyses a large cohort of patients, and the results indicate that primary tumor removal should still be strongly considered in patients who are treated with targeted therapies.

Abstract

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in treatment of locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the era of targeted therapies (TT) is still not clearly defined. The study population consisted of 730 patients with synchronous mRCC. The RenIS (Renal carcinoma Information System) registry was used as the data source. The CN/TT cohort included patients having CN within 3 months from the mRCC diagnosis and subsequently being treated with TT, while the TT cohort included patients receiving TT upfront. Median progression-free survival from the first intervention was 6.7 months in the TT arm and 9.3 months in the CN/TT patients (p < 0.001). Median overall survival was 14.2 and 27.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Liver metastasis, high-grade tumor, absence of CN, non-clear cell histology, and MSKCC (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) poor prognosis status were associated with adverse treatment outcomes. According to the results of this retrospective study, patients who underwent CN and subsequently were treated with TT had better outcomes compared to patients treated with upfront TT. The results of the study support the use of CN in the treatment algorithm for mRCC.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients of T4 stage who are in status of N1 stage or older than 76 years cannot benefit from cytoreductive nephrectomy

Background

We aimed to identify which part of the patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is not suitable for cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN).

Methods

The data of mRCC patients was acquired from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Multivariate cox regression analysis and nomogram were performed for selecting factors independently associated with survival. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce potential bias when comparing survival of mRCC patients treated by CN or non-surgery (NS). The survival analysis of subgroups was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by log-rank testing. The summary of subgroup analysis was showed by forest plots.

Results

The records of 21,411 patients with mRCC were obtained from the SEER database. After screening, a total of 6532 patients were included for further analysis, of which 6043 underwent CN and 489 underwent NS. Age, T stage, N stage and tumor size were involved in subgroup analysis by PSM according to the result of multivariate cox regression analysis and clinical experience. Survival benefit was not found in T4 stage patients. Further analysis showed that T4&N1 and T4&age ≥ 76 yr subgroups could not obtain survival benefit from CN.

Conclusion

CN should not be performed in T4 stage mRCC patients who were in status of N1 stage or older than 76 years, because surgery cannot take significant survival benefit for them.

Contemporary Cytoreductive Nephrectomy Provides Survival Benefit in Clear-cell Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

A recent randomized trial questioned the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in clear-cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (ccmRCC). We reassessed the effect of cytoreductive nephrectomy on survival in a contemporary population-based ccmRCC cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2010-2015), we focused on patients with ccmRCC. The primary endpoint consisted of overall mortality. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were applied in the overall cohort and in patients who underwent targeted therapy. Sensitivity analyses included 1:1 propensity score matching, 3- and 6-month landmark analyses, incremental survival benefit analyses, and metastases number and location-based stratifications.

RESULTS

Of 4062 patients with ccmRCC, 2241 (55.1%) received targeted therapy; cytoreductive nephrectomy was performed in 2226 (54.8%) patients and 1168 (52.1%) patients in the overall and targeted therapy cohorts, respectively. Cytoreductive nephrectomy was associated with lower overall mortality in the overall cohort (median survival, 30 vs. 9 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.43; P < .001), as well as in the targeted therapy cohort (median survival, 28 vs. 12 months; HR, 0.49; P < .001). In sensitivity analyses, cytoreductive nephrectomy was associated with lower overall mortality after 1:1 propensity score-matching (HR, 0.49; P < .001), in 3- and 6-month landmark analyses (HR, 0.49; P < .001 and HR, 0.51; P < .001, respectively), in metastases number and location-based stratifications, except for exclusive liver metastases, as well as in all incremental benefit analyses.

CONCLUSION

Cytoreductive nephrectomy is associated with better survival in patients with ccmRCC, including those exposed to targeted therapy, after adjustment for multiple potential confounders.

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in the Era of Tyrosine Kinase and Immuno-Oncology Checkpoint Inhibitors

The role for cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has evolved with advancements in systemic therapy. During the cytokine-based immunotherapy era, CN provided a clear survival benefit and was considered standard of care in management of mRCC. The development of targeted systemic therapy directed at the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway altered the treatment paradigm and accentuated the importance of risk stratification in treatment selection. This article reviews the literature evaluating the benefit of CN during the evolution of systemic therapy and provides clinical recommendations for current utilization of CN in patients with mRCC.

Is cytoreductive nephrectomy relevant in the immunotherapy era?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The recent approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) revolutionized the treatment paradigm for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). However, the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy is not well defined in this setting. Here, we review the contemporary role and timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy for advanced RCC in the era of immunotherapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence concerning combination systemic therapy and cytoreductive nephrectomy in the multimodal management of mRCC is primarily limited to studies conducted in the targeted therapy era. The oncologic role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the setting of ICI remains largely undefined and is supported primarily by case reports. Nonetheless, patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy is paramount, and appropriate candidacy in the ICI era will likely be refined as increasing evidence emerges. Until then, a cautious balance between perceived oncologic benefit and risks of intervention must be exercised. Several trials are ongoing to help shed light on patient selection, technical feasibility, and optimal timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the immunotherapy era.

SUMMARY

Although the role and timing for cytoreductive nephrectomy remain to be further elucidated in the immunotherapy era, patient selection remains critical for treatment planning. Further studies are urgently needed to better define the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in this setting.

The Effect of Cytoreductive Partial Nephrectomy in Elderly Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective

To explore the survival value of cytoreductive partial nephrectomy (cPN) in elderly with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (EmRCC) and evaluate the characteristics of patients who benefit from cPN.

Materials and Methods

This was a study including 6105 patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) queried from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015, among which 1264 patients underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN), 78 patients underwent cPN and 1186 patients underwent cytoreductive radical nephrectomy (cRN). Kaplan-Meier (K-M) method and Cox proportional-hazards model (COX) were used to evaluate the survival prognosis. Overall survival (OS) was compared between groups using propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the effects of confounding factors such as general features and pathological features. At last, we constructed a nomogram visualization modelled by R language to predict survival.

Results

For patients with EmRCC, especially for male patients with tumors size ≤7 cm, N0 stage, or isolated metastases, cPN brought a better survival than cRN. Tumor size and N stage were independent risk factors affecting the survival of cPN patients. cPN for patients with tumor size >7 cm or N1 stage may present a higher risk of death.

Conclusion

The implementation of cPN for patients with EmRCC who meet specific clinical characteristics such as tumors size ≤7 cm, N0 stage, or isolated metastases seems to help improve the survival prognosis.

C-Reactive Protein Levels and Survival Following Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in 118 Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Sunitinib: A Retrospective Study

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with a survival benefit for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with sunitinib, with and without cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN).

Material/Methods

This retrospective clinical study included 118 patients with mRCC who were treated with CN and sunitinib (CN-sunitinib) (N=70) and with sunitinib-alone (N=48). Categorical clinicopathological variables were compared with hypothesis tests using contingency tables and a chi-squared test. Independent indicators for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to evaluate patient survival.

Results

The median PFS and OS for the 118 patients were 8.38 and 15.48 months, respectively. There were no significant differences between the CN-sunitinib group and the sunitinib-alone group for either PFS (7.2 months vs. 11.6 months; P=0.525) or OS (16.7 months vs. 15.2 months; P=0.839). Stratification of patients based on clinicopathological characteristics showed that CN was significantly associated with reduced PFS and OS for patients with lymph node metastasis (PFS, P<0.001; OS, P<0.001) and high International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk scores (PFS, P=0.003; OS, P=0.011). However, CN was associated with a significant survival benefit for patients with low levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP<10 mg/L) (PFS, P=0.026; OS, P=0.007).

Conclusions

Sunitinib-alone without CN improved the survival of patients with mRCC who had high IMDC risk scores or lymph node metastasis. CN and sunitinib resulted in significantly improved survival in patients with low serum CRP.

Rare Case of Synchronous Cystic Duct Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The common metastatic sites of renal cell cancer (RCC) are the lung, bone, liver, brain, adrenal glands, and contralateral kidney. Metastasis to the gallbladder is rare, and cystic duct metastasis from RCC has been reported in only one metachronous case. This is the first report of a case of synchronous cystic duct metastasis from RCC.

CASE REPORT

A 72-year-old woman presenting with hematuria had a history of Cushing disease approximately 10 years previously. Enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a mass measuring 5.8 × 3.0 cm in the left kidney, which was strongly enhanced in the early phase and washed out in the late phase. A mass measuring 2 cm in diameter was seen in the left adrenal gland, and a 1.0-cm mass was noted in the right adrenal gland. Multiple tiny masses were detected in the cystic duct. Left renal cell carcinoma, cystic duct metastasis, and bilateral adrenal gland metastases were diagnosed. Because the metastatic tumor was close to the common bile duct, we performed left nephrectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, cholecystectomy, resection of the extrahepatic bile duct, and hepaticojejunostomy. Pathological findings showed that the renal tumor was clear cell carcinoma, as were the bilateral adrenal tumors and cystic duct tumor. The patient died 30 months after the operation.

The use of cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The systemic options for managing metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have expanded considerably over the past decade. Initially limited to cytokines, clinicians may now choose from several classes of targeted therapies and, most recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the role and timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) and its evolution starting with cytokines, and then alongside the emergence of targeted therapy and novel immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Patient selection remains the most critical determinant in offering CN, and the anticipated survival benefits of CN must be weighed against the surgical morbidity and potential delay to receipt of systemic therapies. Expert opinion: Proper patient selection is key for decision-making in mRCC. Prospective data is urgently needed to define the role of CN in the contemporary immunotherapy era, with greater personalization of prognostic models.

Position of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the setting of metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients: does the CARMENA trial lead to a paradigm shift?

Introduction > The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in combination with targeted therapy has been debated after the results of the CARMENA trial. We decided to reassess the available evidence on the setting of CN in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients. Methods > Critical review of the literature focusing on CN in mRCC patients. Results > Previous trials demonstrated a survival benefit of CN during the cytokine-era. In the targeted therapies-era, retrospective studies has confirmed the survival benefit of CN but presented inherent selection biases. Recently, the CARMENA trial showed that sunitinib alone was not inferior to CN plus sunitinib, and could be followed by subsequent CN in good-responders patients. CN is found to be a morbid surgery (perioperative mortality rate of 0-13% and major postoperative complications rate of 3-36%) and should be avoided in patients with primary refractory disease, using targeted therapy as a selection tool. Some parameters have been associated with shorter overall survival, leading to propose up-front CN only to patients with good performance status, a high-volume renal tumor and a low metastatic burden. Conclusions > While previous studies demonstrated a survival benefit of CN, the CARMENA trial showed that immediate CN was not necessary in some patients with mRCC, leading to a paradigm shift. Targeted therapy should be proposed as first line treatment, and the response to pre-surgical therapy could be used as a selection tool for subsequent decision of CN in good-responders patients.

Surgical Management of Advanced Kidney Cancer: The Role of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy and Lymphadenectomy

Despite the evolution of systemic therapy from the immunotherapy to targeted therapy eras, surgical management remains a mainstay of treatment of patients with locally advanced, lymph node-positive, and distant metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Balancing patient and disease characteristics with the potential morbidity of surgery has gained increasing attention to better define the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy and lymphadenectomy. In this review, we critically evaluate the literature for the potential therapeutic role of cytoreductive nephrectomy and lymphadenectomy in advanced kidney cancer, highlighting current evidence, limitations, and best-management practices. Although retrospective data supported a similar survival benefit for cytoreductive nephrectomy in the targeted therapy era as it did for the initial immunotherapy era (1992 to 2006), level 1 evidence from the randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Importance of Nephrectomy (CARMENA) demonstrated no benefit for intermediate- and poor-risk patients in the setting of sunitinib therapy. Level 1 evidence among a favorable-risk subset is still awaited from the trial Targeted Therapy With or Without Nephrectomy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Liquid Biopsy for Biomarkers Discovery (TARIBO). Another trial, Immediate Surgery or Surgery After Sunitinib Malate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Kidney Cancer (SURTIME), has compared upfront cytoreductive nephrectomy prior to targeted therapy with the initial initiation of targeted therapy followed by deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy. Lymphadenectomy is yet another controversial but less well-defined management option for patients with kidney cancer. The role of lymphadenectomy has been studied in both the localized and advanced settings over the past few decades, with a strong suggestion of no therapeutic benefit for patients with cT1-2N0M0 and cM1 disease, and with uncertain benefit in patients with high-risk disease (ie, locally advanced or cN1M0), leading to weak statements among clinical guidelines.

Oncologic Outcomes of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Synchronous Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in patients with synchronous metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed the electronic medical records of 294 patients with synchronous mRCC treated at Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2015. Primary and secondary end points were overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), respectively. OS and CSS were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between patients with and without CN, particularly by performing 1:1 propensity score matching. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of survival outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the overall population of synchronous mRCC patients, 189 patients (64.3%) underwent CN. Compared to mRCC patients without CN, those who underwent CN have a higher proportion of single metastasis (63.0% vs. 32.4%) and clear-cell histology (87.8% vs. 72.4%). In the matched cohort, the patients who underwent CN had better OS and CSS outcomes compared to those who did not undergo CN (median OS, 23.0 months vs. 11.0 months; P < .001; median CSS, 34.0 months vs. 14.0 months; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, undergoing CN, body mass index, and Heng risk score were found as significant predictive factors of both OS and CSS. In subgroup analyses stratified by Heng risk criteria, the patients who received CN had better OS and CSS in all risk groups.

CONCLUSION

CN significantly improved survival outcomes in synchronous mRCC patients treated with targeted therapies and independently associated with prolonged survival, regardless of Heng risk criteria.

Renal cell carcinoma in one year: Going inside the news of 2017 - A report of the main advances in RCC cancer research

Very interesting issues regarding RCC treatment have been raised during 2017. We analysed the main news that may potentially modified clinical practice. Conflicting data came from trials testing targeted therapies in the adjuvant setting, supporting the necessity of further investigations. One of the key goals of RCC research is focused on the first-line therapy, with particular interest focus on immunotherapy combinations. Redefine the standard of care with the aim of improving patients' survival represents an imperative need. Enhancing immunotherapy antitumor activity by combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with anti-angiogenetic therapies is a noteworthy research field, with promising results. In addiction, we analysed in the metastatic setting data about the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy and the possibility of delay the start of first-line therapy after an active surveillance period. Based on recent developments, the paper outlines future prospective of RCC research.

Presurgical pazopanib for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval thrombus: a single-institution study

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical benefit of presurgical therapy with pazopanib in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with a tumor thrombus extending to a high level in the vena cava. A retrospective review was performed for seven consecutive patients with RCC and tumor thrombus involving the vena cava above the hepatic vein (level 3-4, Mayo Clinic classification) treated with pazopanib without initial cytoreductive nephrectomy at our institution. The effect of pazopanib was assessed in terms of the primary site response, thrombus diameter, and height (before and after treatment) on computed tomography or MRI. The tumor thrombus level before the induction of pazopanib was 3 in one patient and 4 in the remaining six patients. After pazopanib, shrinkage of the primary site and thrombus diameter and length were observed in all patients except one (with a rhabdoid tumor). The mean decreases of primary tumor diameter, tumor thrombus diameter, and length were 14, 9, and 31 mm, respectively. The tumor thrombus level decreased in three (43%) patients and remained stable in the remaining patient. Our findings suggest that presurgical treatment with pazopanib may shrink the tumor thrombus and decrease the surgical invasiveness in RCC patients with a high-level tumor thrombus.

Predictive value of inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy

Inflammation-based prognostic scores are useful for predicting survival in various cancers. Here, we aimed to determine the most useful inflammation-based prognostic score for predicting survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 152 patients who underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma between 1986 and 2015. In the multivariate stepwise analysis, the combination of age, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center score, histology, sarcomatoid change, clinical nodal stage, brain metastasis, and liver metastasis was a significant predictor for survival (Harrell's concordance index [c-index]: 0.638). The c-index of the combination improved with the addition of an inflammation-based prognostic score: C-reactive protein (c-index: 0.672), Glasgow prognostic score (c-index: 0.674), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (c-index: 0.685), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (c-index: 0.670), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (c-index: 0.666), systemic inflammation response index (c-index: 0.652), and systemic immune-inflammation index (c-index: 0.678). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio provided the greatest improvement in the c-index. Additional multivariate analysis showed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was an independent prognostic factor for survival (P < 0.0001). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was the most useful inflammation-based prognostic score for predicting survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy.

Prognostic significance of nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with systemic cytokine or targeted therapy: A 16-year retrospective analysis

We compared progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among 292 metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients either undergoing nephrectomy (Nx, 61.6%) or not (non-Nx, 38.4%), stratified according to the MSKCC and Heng risk models, treated with either immunotherapy (IT, 45.2%) or targeted therapy (TT, 54.8%) between 2000 and 2015. During the follow-up duration of 16.6 months, PFS/OS of the Nx (6.0/30 months) and non-Nx (3.0/6.0 months) groups were significantly different despite differences among baseline parameters (p < 0.05). The intermediate- and poor-risk patients defined using either model showed significantly longer PFS and OS in the Nx group than in the non-Nx group (p < 0.05). After stratifying groups by systemic therapy and risk models, both the Nx and non-Nx groups showed no significant differences in intermediate and poor-risk models (p > 0.05). In both synchronous and metachronous mRCC patients, both PFS and OS showed similar survivals; the Nx group had significantly longer PFS and OS than the non-Nx group, even after considering each systemic therapy and prognostic model. Nx showed a significant positive benefit in PFS and OS compared to no Nx upon patient stratification according to the MSKCC and Heng risk models. The metastatic type did not significantly affect survival between the two groups.

Role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the targeted therapy era: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To determine the effectiveness and harm of cytoreductive nephrectomy versus no intervention in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma who undergo targeted therapy to improve overall survival.

Materials and Methods

A search strategy was conducted in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, HTA, DARE, NHS, and LILACS databases. Searches were also conducted for unpublished literature through references from relevant articles identified through the search, conferences, thesis databases, OpenGrey, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov, among others. Studies were included without language restrictions. The risk of bias assessment was made by using a modified Cochrane Collaboration tool. A meta-analysis of fixed effects was conducted. The expected outcomes were overall survival, quality of life, adverse effects, mortality, and progression- free survival. The measure of the effect was the hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The planned comparison was cytoreductive nephrectomy versus no intervention.

Results

A total of 22,507 patients were found among seven studies. Seven studies were included in the qualitative analysis (eight publications) and five in the quantitative analysis for overall survival. One study reported progression-free survival and one reported targeted therapy toxicities. A low risk of bias was shown for most of the study items. The HR for overall survival was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.50 to 0.65) favoring cytoreductive nephrectomy compared with no intervention.

Conclusions

Cytoreductive nephrectomy is effective for improving overall survival in patients with metastatic renal carcinoma who undergo targeted therapy compared with no intervention.

Cytoreductive nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the era of targeted therapy: a bibliographic review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), against a background of lack of evidence following the introduction of targeted therapy.

METHODS

A literature review was performed in January 2017 using the MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for conduct of the study. Two authors independently screened the 270 papers retrieved from the search, and the finally selected publications were identified by consensus between the two reviewers. A total of 55 studies were included in the present review.

RESULTS

Globally, the indications for CN have decreased over recent years. Although current guidelines consider CN an adequate option in selected patients based on prospective studies in the cytokine era, evidence for CN in the era of targeted therapy is based on retrospective studies only.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of ongoing prospective studies are still awaited. Retrospective data suggest that young male patients with oligometastatic disease and a good performance status can be considered suitable surgical candidates who may benefit from CN.

Surgical Management of Advanced and Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The past decade has seen a rapid proliferation in the number and types of systemic therapies available for renal cell carcinoma. However, surgery remains an integral component of the therapeutic armamentarium for advanced and metastatic kidney cancer. Cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant cytokine-based immunotherapy (predominantly high-dose interleukin 2) has largely given way to systemic-targeted therapies. Metastasectomy also has a role in carefully selected patients. Additionally, neoadjuvant systemic therapy may increase the feasibility of resecting the primary tumor, which may be beneficial for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Several prospective trials examining the role of adjuvant therapy are underway. Lastly, the first immune checkpoint inhibitor was approved for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in 2015, providing a new treatment mechanism and new opportunities for combining systemic therapy with surgery. This review discusses current and historical literature regarding the surgical management of patients with advanced and mRCC and explores approaches for optimizing patient selection.

Collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney: Disease characteristics and treatment outcomes from the National Cancer Database

OBJECTIVE

To use a large population-level database to assess survival outcomes for collecting duct renal cell carcinoma (CDRCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for all cases of CDRCC and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) from 2004 to 2013. After removing patients with other cancer diagnoses, the analytic cohort was composed of 201,686 CCRCC and 577 CDRCC cases. Kaplan-Meier and cox proportional hazards analysis were employed to model survival.

RESULTS

Compared to CCRCC, patients with CDRCC presented with higher grade and stage, node positive, and metastatic disease (70.7% vs. 30.0% with metastasis; P<0.001). Overall median survival for CDRCC was 13.2 months (95% CI: 11.0-15.5) compared to the 122.5 months (95% CI: 121.0-123.9) for CCRCC. On multivariate analysis of the CDRCC cohort, increasing T stage, high-grade disease, and metastasis were predictors of mortality. Of 184 patients with metastatic CDRCC, 113 underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNx) whereas the rest were treated with chemo/radiation or observed. Survival outcomes were improved in patients who received both CNx with chemo/radiation compared to CNx alone (hazard ratio = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32-0.79) or chemo/radiation alone (hazard ratio = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.37-0.89) on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

CDRCC is an aggressive subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Median survival is 13 months after diagnosis, drastically lower than for CCRCC. More than 70% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. Chemo/radiation in addition to CNx is associated with a survival benefit over single mode therapy.

[Should cytoreductive nephrectomy be performed in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and what is the scientific rationale?]

Between 15 and 20% of patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma suffer from metastatic disease by the time of diagnosis. In the immunotherapy era, the standard treatment was to perform cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) followed by treatment with interferon α. This was based on two prospective randomized trials and their combined analysis. Since the introduction of targeted therapy, the use of CN came into question and the number of performed CN has declined. Two trials (CARMENA and SURTIME) evaluating the role of CN in the times of targeted therapy have either closed early or are recruiting slowly and will probably not be able to answer this question. Thus, we need to focus on retrospective data consisting of several analyses with large numbers of patients. These analyses all seem to show a benefit in overall survival, and adjusted for prognostic factors CN represents an independent predictor of longer survival. A correlation between expected life span and efficacy of CN has been shown with a survival rate that is three times higher after 3 years. Only patients with low performance status, low life expectancy, cerebral metastases, and old age did not benefit from CN. Furthermore, symptom control of large primary tumors without response to systemic therapy and the fact that all reports of long-term remission or long survival rates are associated with the use of CN are theoretical aspects speaking in favor of this treatment. This leads to the recommendation to perform CN in all patients with good performance status in all important guidelines.

A Three-Variable Model Predicts Short Survival in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background

Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have variable survival outcomes. When discussing management approaches and providing information to patients and caregivers, it is important to have realistic perspectives, especially if the expected prognosis is very unfavorable. In the present study, factors predicting this endpoint were analyzed.

Methods

Data from 60 patients treated in routine clinical practice were evaluated. Unfavorable prognosis was defined as death within approximately 3 months from diagnosis of mRCC (maximum 3.5 months). Baseline factors including laboratory values and management approach were compared between the groups with short and longer survival.

Results

A total of 48 patients (80%) experienced ≥ 4 months survival (4+MS) and 10 (16.7%) experienced shorter survival (3MS). The others had short follow-up. Adverse prognostic factors that were significantly more frequent in the 3MS group were low hemoglobin, high lactate dehydrogenase and lack of systemic therapy. We used these three items to create a prognostic model: score 0 = no adverse factors, score 1 = one adverse factor, score 2 = two adverse factors, score 3 = three adverse factors. In the score 0 group, one out of 20 patients experienced 3MS (5%). In score 1, two out of 21 patients belonged to the 3MS group (9.5%). For score 2, the corresponding figure was four out of 14 patients (29%). In the score 3 group, three out of three patients experienced 3MS (100%) (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

A simple model with three prognostic factors predicted survival of patients with newly diagnosed mRCC. Additional validation in other databases is warranted.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma

Immunotherapy has produced durable clinical benefit in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC). In the past, patients treated with interferon-alpha (IFN) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) have achieved complete responses, many of which have lasted for multiple decades. More recently, a large number of new agents have been approved for RCC, several of which attack tumor angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFR), as well as tumor metabolism, inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Additionally, a new class of immunotherapy agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, is emerging and will play a significant role in the treatment of patients with RCC. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a Task Force, which met to consider the current role of approved immunotherapy agents in RCC, to provide guidance to practicing clinicians by developing consensus recommendations and to set the stage for future immunotherapeutic developments in RCC.

A retrospective study of predictive factors for unexpectedly prolonged or shortened progression-free survival and overall survival among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received first-line targeted therapy

Background

To identify predictors of prolonged or shortened progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received first-line targeted therapies.

Methods

This retrospective study included 146 patients with mRCC who were treated during 2007–2015. These patients were divided into a group with the worst response (WG), an expected group (EG), and a group with the best response (BG), based on their PFS (≤3 monthsnths, 3–18 monthsnths, and >18 monthsnths, respectively) and OS (<1 year, 1–3 years, and >3 years, respectively). To identify significant predictive factors, the BG and WG were compared to the EG using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Heng risk models.

Results

The overall PFS and OS were 9.3 months and 16.4 months, respectively. The median PFS for the WG (41.8 %), EG (45.9 %), and BG (12.3 %) were 2.7 months, 9.3 months, and 56.6 months, respectively, and the median OS for the WG (45.9 %), EG (35.6 %), and BG (18.5 %) were 5.5 months, 21.6 months, and 63.1 months, respectively; these outcomes were significantly different (p < 0.001). Nephrectomy (odds ratio [OR]: 7.15) was a significant predictor of PFS in the BG, and the significant predictors of OS in the BG were MSKCC intermediate risk (OR: 0.12), poor risk (OR: 0.04), and a disease-free interval of <1 year (OR: 0.23) (all, p < 0.05). Anemia (OR: 3.25) was a significant predictor of PFS in the WG, and the significant predictors of OS were age (OR: 1.05), anemia (OR: 4.13), lymphocytopenia (OR: 4.76), disease-free interval of <1 year (OR: 4.8), and synchronous metastasis (OR: 3.52) (all, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We identified several significant predictors of unexpectedly good and poor response to first-line targeted therapy among patients with mRCC.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2615-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Role of Cytoreductive Nephrectomy: European Association of Urology Recommendations in 2016

PATIENT SUMMARY

After the introduction of systemic targeted therapies, the use of nephrectomy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma has declined. Currently, systemic therapy is offered to more patients first as a means to select those candidates that will likely benefit from removal of their primary tumour. Although studies consistently demonstrate a survival benefit after nephrectomy, most patients with poor risk metastatic disease are unlikely to benefit from surgery. Soon studies will report on the effect of nephrectomy in patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis.

Survival Analyses of Patients With Metastatic Renal Cancer Treated With Targeted Therapy With or Without Cytoreductive Nephrectomy: A National Cancer Data Base Study

PURPOSE

The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has become unclear since the introduction of targeted therapies (TT). We sought to evaluate contemporary utilization rates of CN and to examine the survival benefit of CN compared with non-CN patients treated with TT.

METHODS

We used the National Cancer Data Base to identify patients with clinical mRCC treated with TT between 2006 and 2013. The intervention of interest was CN. Multivariable logistic regression predicting receipt of CN was performed. Overall survival (OS) was examined using Cox regression models and incremental survival analyses were performed. Sensitivity analyses using propensity scores were conducted.

RESULTS

Of 15,390 patients treated with TT, 5,374 (35%) underwent CN between 2006 and 2013. Patients who were younger, privately insured, treated at an academic center, and had lower tumor stage and cN0 disease were more likely to undergo CN. The median OS of CN versus non-CN patients was 17.1 (95% CI, 16.3 to 18.0 months) versus 7.7 months (95% CI, 7.4 to 7.9 months; P < .001). In sensitivity analyses using propensity scores adjustment in addition to other available covariates, CN patients had a lower risk of any death (hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.50; P < .001). The survival benefit of CN was +0.7 and +3.6 months in patients who survived ≤ 6 and ≤ 24 months, respectively, versus no CN.

CONCLUSION

CN is performed in three of 10 patients with mRCC who are receiving TT. Several patient and sociodemographic characteristics were associated with receipt of CN. When feasible, CN may offer an OS benefit when combined with TT.

Surgical challenges in the treatment of a giant renal cell carcinoma with atypical presentation: A case report

•

Description of the largest renal cell carcinoma ever resected.

•

Unusual presentation led to a delay in diagnosis.

•

Tumor size necessitated careful intraoperative maneuvers.

•

Major resections are possible in community hospital with multidisciplinary team.

Introduction

For the management of localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), surgical resection is the standard of care. Considerations are given to achieve good outcomes with conservative measures. When the tumor is exceedingly large the safest alternative is total nephrectomy.

Presentation of case

The patient is a 75 year old man with a 5 year history of increasing abdominal distension. There was no recent hematuria or any other genitourinary complaints. CT revealed a giant complex mass that occupied the majority of the abdomen likely arising from the retroperitoneum. Early in diagnosis, the mass was suspected to arise from the left kidney. The decision was made to proceed with surgery for both treatment and diagnosis. Resection of the tumor revealed a 28.0 × 25.0 × 15.0 cm encapsulated neoplasm. Histopathology determined this to be a papillary RCC. Resection of the mass resulted in en bloc partial nephrectomy immediately followed by a completion of the nephrectomy, lymphadenectomy, and abdominal wall repair. Postoperative course was excellent.

Discussion

The aim of this report is to determine the surgical challenges posed by a tumor of this magnitude and the multidisciplinary approach necessary to treat it. In the often indolent course seen with RCC, surgeons are faced with the task of handling advanced disease, requiring more radical procedures for good outcomes.

Conclusion

The size of the tumor in this case presented several challenges in the operative setting. The sheer mass of the tumor gave no other choice than to perform exploratory laparotomy and complete nephrectomy upon resection.

Comparison of pre-treatment MSKCC and IMDC prognostic risk models in patients with synchronous metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated in the era of targeted therapy

PURPOSE

To compare prognostic performance of MSKCC and IMDC risk models in patients with synchronous mRCC.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of pre-therapeutic MSKCC and IMDC prognostic factors and outcomes in patients with synchronous mRCC treated at a single institute in the targeted therapy era was performed. Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) was performed in patients with WHO performance 0-1 and limited metastasis.

RESULTS

Of 190 patients, only 2 had favourable risk. Overall, 141 patients received targeted therapy and 97 underwent CN. By MSKCC score, 143 (76.1 %) patients were intermediate risk (median OS 16 months) but only 97 (51.9 %) by IMDC (median OS 23 months). Conversely, 46 of the MSKCC intermediate-risk patients (31.2 %) were IMDC poor risk. Only poor risk by MSKCC and ≥4 IMDC factors had similar poor outcome (median OS 5 months and OS 2 years of 4.1 % and 10.4 %, respectively). Following CN, baseline elevated platelets and neutrophils decreased to normal in 61.5 and 75 %, respectively. This suggests that the primary tumour may influence baseline counts resulting in more IMDC poor risk. In both models, CN status was associated with better OS.

CONCLUSION

Patients with synchronous mRCC and poor risk by MSKCC or ≥4 IMDC factors have a short survival expectancy, and CN may not be the primary objective in this population. Conversely, with either MSKCC or IMDC intermediate risk the probability to survive 2 years is 38.6-45.7 %, which suggests that a subgroup of patients live long enough to derive a potential benefit of CN.