Renal parenchyma-sparing surgery as conservative treatment of renal cell carcinoma

Tumor enucleation for the treatment of T1 renal tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of tumor enucleation (TE) compared with partial nephrectomy (PN) for T1 renal cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

According to protocol, we searched multiple data sources for published and unpublished randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies (NRSs) in any language. We performed systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and rated the certainty of the evidence (CoE) using the GRADE framework.

Results

We are uncertain about the effects of TE on perioperative (mean difference [MD] 3.38, 95% CI 1.52 to 5.23; I²=68%; 4 NRSs; 942 participants; very low CoE) and long-term (MD 2.31, 95% CI -1.40 to 6.01; I²=57%; 4 NRSs; 542 participants; very low CoE) residual renal function. TE may result in little to no difference in short-term residual renal function (MD 1.04, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.83; I²=0%; 2 NRSs; 256 participants; low CoE). We are uncertain about the effects of TE on cancer-specific mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.90, 95% CI: 0.11 to 7.28; I²=0%; 2 NRSs; 551 participants; very low CoE) and major adverse events (RR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.79; I²=0%; 10 NRS; 2,360 participants; very low CoE).

Conclusions

While TE appears to have similar effects on short term postoperative residual renal function, there were uncertainties on mortality and major adverse events. However, we need rigorous RCTs to elucidate the effects of TE as the evidence stems mostly from NRSs.

Nephron-Sparing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to describe our experience in patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) with tumor thrombectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three consecutive patients who underwent NSS and tumor thrombectomy for localized single/multifocal renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) in conjunction with tumor thrombus between 2007 and 2011 were included. Open partial nephrectomy and thrombectomy was performed. Reconstruction included main renal vein, collecting system, and remaining parenchymal closure. One of the cases required additional artery repair and flushing with preservation solution.

RESULTS

Ischemic time was kept for 30-40 min. Mean estimated blood loss was 183.3 cc (range:100-300). One patient required the transfusion of 1 packed red blood cells unit. One of the patients developed a urinary fistula requiring double-J stenting. Hospital staying ranged between 5 and 8 days. None of the patients required renal replacement therapy either postoperatively or in the follow-up. Serum creatinine level at last follow-up (mean 83 months) ranged from 0.8 to 2.8 mg/dL.

CONCLUSION

Our experience supports the feasibility of imperative partial nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for cases of RCC with renal vein involvement by tumor thrombus. In experienced hands, this approach may offer the patient a low morbidity postoperative course and long-term freedom from disease while maintaining the renal function, thus avoiding the need of renal replacement therapy.

Cold infusion for salvage partial hilar nephrectomy in patient with bilateral wilms tumor

We describe the use of an ice-cold solution of Ringer's lactate with additives to ameliorate ischemia-reperfusion injury and avoid renal failure in a child with bilateral Wilms tumor requiring nonanatomic, hilar resection that would leave the patient with marginal renal parenchyma postoperatively. The adequate renal function afforded by the procedure avoided the possible need for dialysis and allowed the resection area to be irradiated to prevent tumor recurrence before eventual renal transplantation.

Radiofrequency ablation of rabbit kidney using liquid electrode: acute and chronic observations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The percentage of small renal tumors being diagnosed has increased at least five-fold in the last 20 years. The question of how best to treat these lesions remains unanswered. We studied the effectiveness of "wet" radiofrequency (RF) ablation of renal tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

New Zealand white rabbits (N = 48) underwent a 1- or 2-minute ablation of renal parenchyma with a modified insulated spinal needle capable of infusing saline, measuring temperature and impedance, and delivering RF energy. Animals were followed and examined up to 54 days after surgery.

RESULTS

All animals survived for the planned period. Intravenous urograms showed no fistula or urinoma formation and confirmed continued function of the remaining parenchyma. The 1-minute treatments consistently ablated 20% to 25% (average 7 cm) of the tissue, whereas the 2-minute treatments ablated 34% to 36% (average 10 cm). Acutely, there was coagulative necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Chronically, there were well-demarcated lesions with complete effacement of the tubular epithelium and destruction of the glomeruli.

CONCLUSION

Wet radiofrequency ablation with a liquid electrode can reproducibly create large lesions safely and quickly. The technique may soon become an alternative, minimally invasive therapy for small renal tumors.

Partial nephrectomy: alternative treatment for selected patients with renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the experience and the results of partial nephrectomy in a single institution over the last 10 years in order to optimize patient selection and minimize morbidity.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of 64 patients (mean age 56.6 years, range 18 to 88; 43 men, 21 women) who underwent 66 partial nephrectomies at the Brigham and Women's Hospital between 1987 and 1997. Preoperatively, 62% of the patients had no symptoms, whereas 38% had pain and/or hematuria. The indications were elective in 23 patients, solitary kidney in 28 (14 with bilateral asynchronous tumor), bilateral synchronous tumor in 7, von Hippel-Lindau disease with normal contralateral kidney in 3, lymphoma in 3, and other indications in 2 patients. Surgery was performed for solid or indeterminate renal mass suspected of being renal cell carcinoma in 58 patients.

RESULTS

The most common final pathologic diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma in 47 procedures. One or more complications occurred after 18 procedures (15 with solitary kidney and 3 in patients with normal contralateral kidney) or 27% of the patients. The most common complication was an increased creatinine level (two times the baseline), occurring in 10 procedures (15.1%). Transfusion was necessary in 37 of 66 procedures (56%), and the mean blood loss was 836 cc (range 100 to 3200). Regarding renal function, 85% of the patients had a minimal increase in creatinine of less than 0.5 mg/dL after surgery (all patients with a normal contralateral kidney are in this group); 3 patients required either temporary (n = 1) or permanent (n = 2) dialysis. Other complications are also described. The mean length of stay among 65 patients was 6.5 days (range 3 to 14). The differences between length of stay, blood loss, and tumor size were statistically significant between the solitary kidney group and the elective indications group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nephron sparing surgery is feasible and relatively safe in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Awareness of potential complications should aid in the selection of appropriate patients for this procedure.

Renal parenchyma-sparing surgery in carcinoma

BACKGROUND

There is controversy regarding the role of renal-sparing surgery in patients with kidney cancer who have a functioning contralateral kidney.

METHODS

The present study aimed to review the recent experience of renal-sparing surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH), Sydney. Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing conservative surgery for kidney tumours at RPAH between February 1987 and January 1995, were reviewed. Eleven patients had imperative indications for conservative surgery and the remaining seven patients had elective indications. Ten patients had modified enucleation with a margin of normal parenchyma. Six patients underwent partial nephrectomy and two had wedge resections. Patients were followed up at 1, 6 and 12 months, and thence every 6-12 months. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 104 months (mean: 46.2 months, median: 48 months).

RESULTS

Sixteen of the 18 patients were still alive at the end of the follow-up (October 1995), with no clinical evidence of local or distant metastasis. The two deaths were not related to the fact that these patients had conservative surgery. The average tumour dimensions were 43 mm x 49 mm, with an average volume of 194 mm3. All resections were complete, with margins ranging between 1.0 and 20.0 mm (mean: 8.7 mm). The survival rate in the present study is comparable to those found by other researchers.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative surgery is indicated in renal tumours where radical surgery would render the patient anephric. Conservative surgery, however, is controversial in a patient with a normal contralateral kidney. The present study has shown that renal parenchyma-preserving surgery for localized tumours provides a feasible treatment option.

Surgical enucleation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Prognostic significance of tumour stage, grade and DNA ploidy

This study reviews a total of 26 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who underwent enucleation of the tumour with functionally and anatomically normal controlateral kidney and no evidence of systemic renal disease. At follow-up, after a mean of 62 months the disease specific survival rate for this series was 88.5%. Survival rates according to the pathologic stage, grading, tumour diameter and ploidy are reported. Local recurrences were documented in 4 of the 26 RCC. All 4 RCC were more than 5 cm in diameter and recurred in the remaining parenchyma. After local recurrence, three tumours with aneuploid DNA content underwent radical nephrectomy, whereas 1 with diploid DNA content was submitted to a new enucleation of the recurrence. To date the diploid case is still alive 3 years after the original resection of the primary tumour whereas the other 3 patients died for metastatic disease. In our experience the ideal candidate for renal sparing surgery in the presence of a normal opposite kidney is an asymptomatic patient that incidentally is brought to our attention with a small size (less than 5 cm in diameter), low stage (T1-T2) tumour, well surrounded by a pseudocapsule. DNA content is a valuable prognostic factor in patients submitted to conservative surgery. Diploid tumours have been seen to have a better prognosis and in case of local recurrence they may be reconsidered for a new enucleation of the recurrence.