Renal function following curative surgery for renal cell carcinoma: who is at risk for renal insufficiency?

Renal functional outcomes after nephrectomy in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the most common comorbidities in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), was proven to be an important prognostic factor of overall survival for these patients. Regarding the influence on renal function after nephrectomy, evidence is still scant. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to provide a more reliable analysis of the association between DM and long-term renal functional outcomes after nephrectomy.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases were searched for eligible studies from inception to January 2023. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted to evaluate the association between DM and renal functional outcomes using a random effects model. Stata 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included thirteen studies consisting of 8562 RCC patients who underwent nephrectomy. Preoperative comorbidity of DM was significantly associated with poor renal functional outcomes (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.48-2.48, p < 0.0001), regardless of ethnicity, follow-up time, body mass index (BMI) and age. However, in the radical nephrectomy subgroup, DM was not significantly associated with renal function decline (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 0.93-3.90, p = 0.0781).

CONCLUSIONS

The aggregate evidence indicated that preexisting DM may be associated with poor renal functional outcomes in patients with RCC after nephrectomy, especially in patients receiving partial nephrectomy. Urologists should focus more on the glycemic management of these patients after nephrectomy. More high-quality studies are needed to explore the influence of DM on renal function outcomes in postoperative patients.

Renal functional and cardiovascular outcomes of partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy for renal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the postoperative renal and cardiovascular outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) versus radical nephrectomy (RN) for the treatment of renal carcinoma. A systematic literature search was performed on scientific databases including Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from their inception to September 2021. Studies comparing renal and cardiovascular outcomes between PN and RN in patients with renal cancer were included. The generic inverse variance method with random-effects models was used to determine the pooled hazard ratios and odds ratio for each outcome. Quality Assessment for observational studies was guided by the New-Castle Ottawa Scale. Overall, a total of 31 studies (n=51,866) reported renal outcomes, while 11 studies (n= 101,678) reported cardiovascular outcomes. When compared to PN, RN had a higher rate of new-onset postoperative EGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² (HR 3.39; CI 2.45 - 4.70; I²=93%; P=<0.00001) and EGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m² (HR 4.70; CI 2.26 - 9.79; I²=98%; P=<0.0001). No difference was observed in new-onset advanced kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. A 19% reduction in cardiovascular events was observed in the PN group (HR 0.81; CI 0.70 - 0.93, P=0.002). No protective effect of PN was observed in new-onset or worsening hypertension (HR 0.85; CI 0.64 - 1.14, P=0.28) nor myocardial infarction (HR 0.86; CI 0.71 - 1.04, P=0.13). PN was associated with a decreased risk of postoperative early-stage CKD and cardiovascular events compared with RN. However, no benefit of PN over RN was observed in advanced CKD, new-onset or worsening hypertension, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality.

Preoperative versus Postoperative Compensation of the Contralateral Normal Kidney in Patients Treated with Radical Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Background: We sought to identify the factors affecting renal compensatory processes that occur preoperatively as well as postoperatively in patients treated with radical nephrectomy (RNx) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 906 patients treated with RNx for RCC. We defined the early compensatory process (process 1) as compensatory adaptation of the contralateral normal kidney (CNK) before RNx. We defined the late compensatory process (process 2) as compensatory adaptation of the CNK after RNx. Total compensation was defined as the combination of these two processes. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant factors associated with processes 1, 2 and total compensation. Results: Mean preoperative, 1-week, and 5-year postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were 84.5, 57.6 and 63.7 mL/min/1.73 m², respectively. Female sex (p < 0.001), lower body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), absence of hypertension (p = 0.019), lower preoperative eGFR (p < 0.001), larger tumor volume (p < 0.001), and larger CNK volume (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with process 1. Younger age (p = 0.019), higher BMI (p < 0.001), and absence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.033) were significantly associated with process 2. Female sex (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), absence of DM (p = 0.002), lower preoperative eGFR (p < 0.001), and larger tumor (p = 0.001) and CNK volumes (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with total compensation. Conclusions: Different factors affected each compensatory process. Process 1 made a greater contribution to the entire renal compensatory process than process 2.

The Nephrologist's Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma After Kidney Surgery

Renal cell carcinoma is associated with chronic kidney disease as well as with common risk factors including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Localized renal cell carcinoma is treated surgically and in these cases has a favorable prognosis. In particular, in those individuals with small renal masses (≤4 cm), preservation of kidney function should be prioritized. Postoperative chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease prevention should include baseline kidney function and risk factor assessment, nontumor renal biopsy, as well as counseling on treatment options to discuss maximizing kidney function preservation. Postnephrectomy prognosis can be determined with repeat laboratory and clinical assessment. Ultimately, early involvement of the nephrologist in a multidisciplinary team including the urology team will enable the reduction of postsurgical kidney disease related morbidity and potentially mortality.

Progression to chronic kidney disease in patients undergoing nephrectomy for small renal masses: a price to pay for a therapeutic success?

Nephrectomy, which constitutes a gold-standard procedure for the treatment of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), has been widely discussed in the past decade as a significant risk factor of the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). RCC is the third most common genitourinary cancer in the United States, with an estimated more than 65,000 new cases and 14,970 deaths. The aim of this review was to precisely and comprehensively summarize the status of current knowledge in CKD risk factors after nephrectomy, the advantages of minimally invasive vs. radical nephrectomy, post-nephrectomy biomarkers of CKD, ways of post-operative CKD prevention and, therefore, better understand why various aspects of CKD after nephrectomy. The majority of current studies indicated a better long-term kidney function preservation in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy in comparison to those after radical nephrectomy. Furthermore, a nephron-sparing surgery should be a preferred first-line procedure among young patients with small renal masses. As partial nephrectomy is followed by a greater risk of adverse outcomes relative to radical nephrectomy, a potential survival benefit should always be considered especially in the elderly or patients with comorbidities.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate's time to nadir after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: Predictors and clinical significance on renal functional recovery

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of postoperative time to nadir of estimated glomerular filtration rate on renal functional changes after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.

METHODS

From 2006 to 2015, 287 patients with renal mass who underwent robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in a referral center were analyzed. The cohort was evaluated based on their time to develop nadir: group 1 (no nadir), group 2 (<48 h) and group 3 (≥48 h). The outcome measures were to evaluate the renal function recovery between groups, risk factors for development of nadir ≥48 h, as well as predictors of chronic kidney disease upstaging.

RESULTS

The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate percentage change was the worst in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2, with 13.8%, -0.67% and 8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Chronic kidney disease upstaging was more common in group 3 compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). Age, tumor size, PADUA score and warm ischemia time were predictors of developing ≥48 h estimated glomerular filtration rate nadir (odds ratio 1.04, P = 0.002; odds ratio 1.43, P < 0.001; odds ratio 1.24, P = 0.018; odds ratio 1.05, P < 0.001), respectively. The 5-year probability of freedom from chronic kidney disease upstaging was lower in group 3 (75.6%) compared with the other groups - 88.1% and 100% (P = 0.003). Time to nadir ≥48 h was a predictor of chronic kidney disease upstaging (odds ratio 3.02, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

A continuous decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (≥48 h) after partial nephrectomy is associated with increased risk of poor functional recovery overtime. Age, tumor size, PADUA score and warm ischemia time are independent predictors of developing ≥48 h time to nadir of estimated glomerular filtration rate. This higher risk subgroup should be targeted for stricter follow up to allow early detection of future risk of renal functional decline.

Effect of nephrectomy for retroperitoneal sarcoma on post-operative renal function

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Surgical resection of retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) often involves removal of the ipsilateral kidney. We evaluated the long-term post-operative renal function in patients who underwent a nephrectomy as part of their en-bloc resection of RPS.

METHODS

Retrospective review of an institutional database identified RPS patients who underwent nephrectomy for curative intent from 1990 to 2014. The primary outcome measured was chronic kidney disease (CKD) calculated by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

RESULTS

Of the 47 patients in our study, 19 (40%), 18 (38%), and 10 (21%) patients had a preoperative CKD stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The GFR decreased by an average of 33.4 mL/min/1.73 m² with 66% of patients demonstrating mild progression of their renal impairment. Only three (6%) patients progressed to CKD stage 4 or 5, one of which required life-long dialysis.

CONCLUSION

Nephrectomy as part of an en-bloc resection is associated with a decrease in GFR that is not clinically significant. Fear of kidney failure should not prevent a surgeon from performing a nephrectomy in the treatment of RPS.

No significant differences in short-term renal prognosis between living kidney donors with and without diabetes

BACKGROUND

Renal prognosis in living kidney donors with diabetes is currently not known. In this study, we sought to investigate renal prognosis in living kidney donors with diabetes.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 241 living kidney donors who underwent nephrectomy at Jichi Medical University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2015. Donors with a follow-up period of less than 1 year were excluded. The remaining donors were divided into a diabetic group and a non-diabetic group. Their clinical parameters before donation and renal prognosis after donation were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 241 donors, 16 were excluded due to their follow-up period being less than 1 year. Of the remaining 225 donors, 14 were diabetic and 211 were non-diabetic. There were no significant differences in variables at pre-donation. The median follow-up period was 4.3 (1.5-10.7) and 4.6 (1.0-13.0) years in kidney donors with and without diabetes, respectively. At the end of follow-up, the estimated glomerular filtration rate was 51.7 ± 7.1 ml/min/1.73 m² in the diabetic group and 52.1 ± 12.2 ml/min/1.73 m² (p = 0.906) in the non-diabetic group; urine albumin excretion was 9.5 (2-251) mg/day (or mg/g creatinine) in the diabetic group and 6 (0-626) mg/day (or mg/g creatinine) in the non-diabetic group (p = 0.130); and urine protein excretion was 0.079 (0-0.41) g/day in the diabetic group and 0.051 (0-3.7) g/day in the non-diabetic group (p = 0.455).

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in short-term renal prognosis between kidney donors with and without diabetes.

Baseline Chronic Kidney Disease and Ischemic Method of Partial Nephrectomy Are Important Factors for the Short- and Long-Term Deterioration in Renal Function for Renal Cell Carcinoma Staged T1-T2: A Retrospective Single Center Study

The renal functions of 215 patients (24 with benign renal mass, the rest with RCC staged T1-T2) who underwent partial nephrectomy (PN) between 2003 and 2014 were evaluated to identify predictors of short- and long-term deterioration in renal function after PN among renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients with or without preoperative predisposition to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and among patients with benign renal mass. The 1- and 5-year predictive factors for de novo CKD were statistically analyzed. The incidence of de novo CKD differed significantly (p < 0.001) among patients with benign renal mass, those with RCC but no preoperative CKD predisposition, and those with RCC combined with preoperative CKD predisposition. Independent predictors for de novo CKD at 1 year postoperatively included intraoperative ischemic method, ECOG score, elevated albumin levels, male sex, and smoking exposure (in pack-years). Predictors for de novo CKD at 5 years postoperatively included hypertension, high preoperative albumin levels, De Ritis ratio (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio), smoking exposure, and preoperative predisposition to CKD. Preoperative predisposition to CKD and ischemic method applied during PN, along with other preoperative parameters, were important factors affecting postoperative renal function deterioration in patients with T1-T2 RCC.

Factors Associated with Recovery of Renal Function following Radical Nephrectomy for Kidney Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Partial nephrectomy or radical nephrectomy is the standard of care for patients with kidney neoplasms, but surgery may result in loss of renal function. We sought to identify patient characteristics associated with renal functional recovery following radical nephrectomy.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We performed a retrospective study among 572 patients with kidney neoplasms who underwent RN between 2006 and 2013. The primary endpoint was recovery of postoperative eGFR to the preoperative level. We plotted the trajectory of each patient's eGFR from their first postoperative visit up to 3 years after surgery. Cumulative incidence and competing risks regression estimated associations between patient and clinical characteristics and eGFR recovery, stratified by preoperative eGFR.

RESULTS

Median age was 61.5 years; 68% of patients were male, and 89% were white. Overall, eGFR increased over time following an initial postoperative decrease. Median postoperative follow-up among survivors was 10.8 (minimum, 0.03; maximum, 36.0) months; during follow-up, 263 patients achieved eGFR recovery. Median time to eGFR recovery was 25.3 months. Two-year cumulative incidence of eGFR recovery was 49% overall and 44% and 58% among those with preoperative eGFR≥60 and <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively (P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, younger age at surgery and female sex were significantly associated with a higher chance of eGFR recovery among patients with preoperative eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Among patients with preoperative eGFR≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), hypertension was significantly associated with a lower chance of eGFR recovery, whereas increased tumor size was significantly associated with a higher chance of eGFR recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, almost half of the patients in this study recovered to their preoperative eGFR by 2 years following surgery. Distributions of preoperative risk factors differed by preoperative eGFR, leading to distinct factors that were significantly associated with chance of eGFR recovery.

Low-dose gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI of the kidney for the differential diagnosis of localized renal lesions

Objective

To evaluate low-dose gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI for the differential diagnosis of malignant renal tumors.

Methods

Sixty-two consecutive patients with unclear diagnosis at MDCT/ultrasound underwent dynamic CE-MRI of the kidneys with 0.05 mmol/kg gadobenate dimeglumine. Retrospective image evaluation was performed by two blinded readers. Lesion diagnosis at CE-MRI was correlated with findings from histology following tumor resection or from imaging follow-up after at least 1 year. Assessments were performed of diagnostic quality and level of diagnostic information.

Results

Thirty-nine (63 %) patients were correctly diagnosed with malignant lesions (36 with RCC, 2 with renal metastases, 1 with lymphoma) while 14 (22.6 %) patients were correctly diagnosed with benign (n = 12) or no (n = 2) lesions. Eight patients were considered false positive (5 with oncocytoma, 3 with atypical AML) and 1 patient false negative (atypical RCC). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV for the diagnosis of malignant renal lesions were 97.5 % (39/40), 63.6 % (14/22), 85.5 % (53/62), 83.0 % (39/47), and 93.3 % (14/15), respectively. Images were excellent in 60 and good in 2 patients. Minimal artifacts that did not compromise diagnosis were noted in 4/62 patients.

Conclusion

Low-dose gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI is effective for the differential diagnosis of malignant renal tumors.

Comparison of postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate between kidney donors and radical nephrectomy patients, and risk factors for postoperative chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

To compare post-nephrectomy renal function between kidney donors and renal cell carcinoma patients, to evaluate trends in recovery, and to identify factors relevant to renal failure.

METHODS

Patients who had radical or donor nephrectomy from four different institutions between 2003 and 2012 were reviewed. Propensity score matching was carried out and 79 patients were selected for each group. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was compared, and the difference between preoperative values and each preceding date was calculated. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent factors for a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate to <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) .

RESULTS

The donor nephrectomy group showed a trend of improved estimated glomerular filtration rate recovery at 24 months and 36 months compared with the radical nephrectomy group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.028, P = 0.012). Multivariate logistic regression showed that renal cell carcinoma (odds ratio 4.605, 95% confidence interval 1.626-13.040, P = 0.004), a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate lower than 110 (odds ratio 4.477, 95% confidence interval 1.360-14.742, P = 0.014) and age older than 40 years (odds ratio 21.616, 95% confidence interval 2.761-169.222, P = 0.003) were predictive factors for a decrease in renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal cell carcinoma is an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy. In addition, age older than 40 years and a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate of 110 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or less seem to represent risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy.

Increasing volume of non-neoplastic parenchyma in partial nephrectomy specimens is associated with chronic kidney disease upstaging

INTRODUCTION

We examined the effect of non-neoplastic parenchymal volumes (NNPVs) in partial nephrectomy (PN) surgical specimens on long-term postoperative renal function. PN for renal cortical neoplasms has demonstrated superior long-term renal function outcomes compared with radical nephrectomy. Minimizing the distance between the surgical margin and tumor will reduce the NNPV removed. The role of NNPV on postoperative outcomes has been preliminarily investigated, with varying results. Thus, we sought to determine the association between the NNPV removed and postoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our institutional database was queried for patients who had undergone PN from 1990 to 2012. The demographic and pathologic data were collected. The ellipsoid formula was used to calculate the surgical specimen and tumor volumes, which were then subtracted from each other to determine the NNPV. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of postoperative CKD upstaging according to the eGFR.

RESULTS

A total of 584 patients meeting the inclusion criteria had undergone PN. On binary logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, tumor volume, surgical modality, and preoperative CKD stage, an increasing NNPV in the surgical specimen was independently associated with postoperative CKD upstaging (odds ratio, 1.004; P = .007).

CONCLUSION

An increasing NNPV removed during PN correlated with CKD upstaging using the eGFR; therefore, additional emphasis should be placed on healthy parenchymal preservation, with long-term follow-up to ensure adequate oncologic outcomes.

Risk of chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

The incidence of low-stage renal cell carcinoma is rising and is observed to demonstrate excellent prognosis following surgical treatment irrespective of method. However, several epidemiologic observational and population-based studies suggest that radical nephrectomy is associated with increased adverse renal outcomes such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with partial nephrectomy. This is suggested in turn to lead to increased mortality via an increase in cardiovascular complications and mortality. Prospective data are scarce, and there are conflicting data as well on whether surgically induced CKD is as debilitating as medically induced CKD. Further research is needed to assess the presence and the extent of the relationship between nephrectomy, CKD, and noncancer mortality.