Surgical Interventions for Renal Cell Carcinoma with Thrombus Extending into the Inferior Vena Cava: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Approach to Different Types of Inferior Vena Cava Leiomyosarcomas: A Vascular Surgeon's Perspective

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare smooth muscle tumor, and only a few cases have been reported with involvement of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Inferior vena cava LMS is more often silent and usually has a poor prognosis as the patients present late. We present this case series to showcase the different approaches to surgical resection, as each tumor had a different location in the IVC. We emphasize preoperative surgical planning to achieve a tumor-free margin and maintain hemodynamics at the same time.

Mid-term results of surgical interventions of high-grade vena cava tumor thrombus

Background

This study aims to investigate whether the coexistence of advanced renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus could be treated with a multidisciplinary approach and teamwork and to evaluate early and mid-term results.

Methods

Between January 2017 and December 2020, a total of 33 patients (28 males, 5 females; mean age: 55.8±13.2 years; range, 27 to 76 years) who underwent radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy of the inferior vena cava were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics of the patients, types of operations, postoperative data, mortality and morbidity rates were recorded.

Results

Of the patients, 12% (n=4) had Stage 2 tumor thrombus, 60.6% (n=20) had Stage 3 tumor thrombus, and 27% (n=9) had Stage 4 tumor thrombus. A total of 55% (n=19) of the patients had right-sided renal cell carcinoma, while 45% (n=14) of them had a left-sided mass. Totally, 66% (n=22) of the patients underwent primary inferior vena cava repair. The thrombectomy procedure and a Dacron® patch was applied with patch plasty in 24% (n=8) of the patients, and Dacron® graft interposition was applied to the inferior vena cava in 9% (n=3) of the patients. The mean follow-up was 20.3±13.0 (range, 2 to 70) months. Deep vein thrombosis was detected in the follow-up of seven (21%) patients, and no pulmonary thromboembolism was observed during the postoperative follow-up period. The mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 1.39±0.6 (range, 1 to 3) days. The 30-day mortality rate was 3%, due to the loss of one patient from massive pulmonary embolism intraoperatively.

Conclusion

Vascular surgical procedures performed regardless of the stage of the tumor thrombus provide satisfactory mid-term results in patients with advanced renal cell cancer.

Analysis of surgical outcomes in 102 patients with renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus: A retrospective observational single-center study

The aim of the study was to assess short- and long-term results following radical nephrectomy with renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombectomy in patients with renal cell cancer with venous thrombus and to investigate impact of various demographical, clinical and histological factors on overall survival (OS). The medical records of 102 adult patients with renal cell cancer with venous thrombus admitted for surgery in Department of General, Vascular and Transplant Surgery from 2012 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The tumor was more frequently located on the right side compared to the left one (55 vs. 47). According to Neves Zincke classification, the levels of venous thrombus were as follows: 1 to 48 (47%), 2 to 47 (46%), 3 to 6 (6%), and 4 to 1 (1%). Postoperative complications were noted in 16 (15.7%) patients. One (3%) patient (Neves Zincke 2) died of intraoperative pulmonary embolism during hospitalization. Clear cell carcinoma was the most common pathological type reported in 92 (90.2%) patients. Thirty nine (38.2%) patients were alive at the time of last follow-up. The median OS was 21.50 (0-101.17) months. The 1-year OS was 75.5%. Significantly better OS (median 38.03 months) was noted in patients with RCC Neves Zincke 1 compared to OS (median 14.79 months) in patients with Neves Zincke 2-4 VT (P = .008). Higher tumor staging (T3 vs. T4) (P = .038), nodal staging (N0 vs. N1) (P = .0008), Fuhrman histological grading (G1-2 vs. G3-4) (P = .033) were associated with a shorter OS. Patients with renal cell cancer with venous thrombus, with an acceptable perioperative risk, should be treated surgically, because radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy performed in a high volume surgical center is a safe procedure. Neves Zincke 2-4 venous thrombus, higher tumor and nodal staging, as well higher Fuhrman histological grading are associated with a shorter OS.

Outcomes in Renal Cell Carcinoma With IVC Thrombectomy: A Multiteam Analysis Between an NCI-Designated Cancer Center and a Quaternary Care Teaching Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Interteam performance and Clavien-Dindo (C-D) complications in renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (RCC-IVCT) have not been reported. We aimed to describe complications by the degree of complexity and surgical teams in a collaborative effort between a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a Quaternary Care Teaching Hospital.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and May 2019, 73 consecutive RCC-IVCT were included. C-D grades III or higher were captured. Teams involved were urologic-oncology, vascular, hepatobiliary/transplant, and cardiothoracic. The Mayo Clinic tumor thrombus classification was used.

RESULTS

Overall complication rate was 42% (n = 31). Nineteen percent had grade III, 18% had grade IV, and 6% had grade V complications. Patients with level IV thrombus had the highest in-hospital mortality rate (75%). Thrombus level did not show a correlation to complication rates (14% level I, 45% level II, 32% level III, 42% level IV). A positive correlation found between the number of teams involved and complication rates (35% with 2-team, 59% with 3-team, P = .059). Thromboembolic events (6% vs 24%, P = .02) and disposition other than home (22% vs 48%, P = .01) were statistically lower for the 2-team groups. Two-team in-hospital mortality was 1/51 (2%) versus 3-team (3/22,14%, (P = .07). No statistical differences were found in infections, thromboembolic events, and grades of complications between surgical teams.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite similar interteam performance, the consistency of surgeons in high complexity cases could improve outcomes further. Complexity was higher for hepatobiliary/transplant and cardiothoracic teams. A combination of intraoperative events and patient selection (comorbidities and age) contributed to death. Overall, in-hospital mortality was lower than in most reported series.