肾和肾上腺恶性肿瘤合并下腔静脉瘤栓的外科治疗

目的 提高肾和肾上腺恶性肿瘤伴下腔静脉瘤栓的治疗效果.方法 1985年1月至2008年4月收治肾和肾上腺恶性肿瘤合并下腔静脉瘤栓患者29例,均经彩色多普勒超声、CT及MRI检查确诊.瘤栓分型:I型7例、Ⅱ型10例、Ⅲ型8例、Ⅳ型4例.其中肾上腺肿瘤4例,肾肿瘤25例.TNM分期:T2NoMo 23例,T2N1Mo 1例,T2N1M1 1例,T3N.Mo 1例,T3N1M1 2例,T3N2Mo 1例.肿瘤平均直径8.7(4.O～16.0)cm.瘤栓平均长度:I型3.2(2.5～4.O)cm,Ⅱ型5.3(4.5～6.O)cm,Ⅲ型8.2(6.5～9.0)cm,IV型15.1(12.O～18.5)cm.29例均在全麻下行肾或肾上腺肿瘤根治性切除加下腔静脉瘤栓切除术.结果 29例手术均获成功.术后病理报告:肾透明细胞癌18例、肾肉瘤样癌3例、肾乳头腺癌2例、肾细胞癌(未分化型)1例、肾颗粒细胞癌1例、肾上腺皮质癌3例、肾上腺转移性恶性黑色索瘤1例.失访3例,余26例平均随访35(0～62)个月,患者3年生存率58%(15/26),5年生存率42%(11/26).T2、T3患者3年生存率分别为64%(14/22)、25%(1/4),5年生存率分别为45%(10/22)、25%(1/4).I、II、Ⅲ和Ⅳ型瘤栓患者3年生存率分别为4/6、5/8、5/8和1/4,5年生存率分别为3/6、4/8、3/8和1/4.膈肌以下瘤栓患者3、5年生存率分别为64%(14/22)、45%(10/22),膈肌以上瘤栓患者分别为1/4、1/4.肾和肾上腺恶性肿瘤伴下腔静脉瘤栓无转移患者的3、5年生存率为12/18、9/18,有转移患者分别为3/8、2/8.3例术前出现转移患者生存时间分别为6、10、22个月.结论 根治性肿瘤切除和下腔静脉取栓治疗无淋巴和远处转移的肾和肾上腺恶性肿瘤合并下腔静脉瘤栓效果良好;即使存在远处转移,外科手术仍可以提高患者生活质量,延长患者生存期.     

Surgical management and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma invading the vena cava

A total of 44 patients with renal cell carcinoma and vena caval tumor thrombus underwent surgical resection. Of these patients 27 had primary tumor confined within Gerota's fascia, negative lymph nodes and no distant metastases (stage T3cN0M0). Patients who underwent extraction of a mobile tumor thrombus from the vena cava had a 69% 5-year survival rate (median 9.9 years) but patients with tumor thrombus directly invading the vena cava had a 26% 5-year survival rate (median 1.2 years), which improved to 57% (median 5.3 years) if the involved vena caval side wall was resected successfully. Of these patients 17 had renal cell carcinoma with vena caval thrombus as well as extrafascial extension, regional lymphadenopathy or distant metastases, and the 5-year survival rate was less than 18% in all groups (median survival less than 0.9 years). Prognosis was determined by the pathological stage of the renal cell carcinoma and by the presence or absence of vena caval side wall invasion but not by the level of tumor thrombus extension. Patients with incomplete resection of localized renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus do not survive any longer than those with extensive cancer, positive lymph nodes or distant metastases. However, when partial venacavectomy establishes negative surgical margins then survival markedly improves.     

肾癌伴静脉癌栓外科治疗的疗效观察

目的探讨外科治疗肾癌伴静脉癌栓患者的预后。方法自1994年8月至2004年7月共33例患者行肾癌根治术及静脉癌栓取出术,其中男性26例、女性7例,中位年龄60岁(20~82岁)。肾静脉癌栓15例,下腔静脉癌栓Ⅰ级(肝下水平)9例、Ⅱ级(肝后水平)5例、Ⅲ级(肝上水平)1例、Ⅳ级(右心房水平)3例。采用Kaplan-Meier方法进行生存分析。结果29例患者得到随访,14例死亡,平均生存(16·4±2·9)个月(1~42个月),15例存活,平均随访(17·3±4·6)个月(3~67个月)。1例患者术后第2天死亡,3例失访。5年生存率为16%。肾静脉癌栓患者平均生存(49·9±9·8)个月,明显高于Ⅰ级下腔静脉癌栓患者的(16·7±1·9)个月(P<0·05)。结论肾癌根治性切除加癌栓取出术是治疗肾癌伴静脉癌栓的有效方法,肾静脉癌栓患者的预后好于腔静脉癌栓患者。     

Surgical treatment of renal cancer with vena cava extension

Fifty-four patients with renal cancer and vena cava tumour thrombus underwent radical nephrectomy and removal of the thrombus; the operative mortality rate was 9.3% (5 patients). The extent of the vena cava thrombus did not affect survival. Of 36 patients with no known pre-operative metastases and complete (29 patients) and incomplete (7 patients) removal of the vena cava tumour thrombus, the 5-year survival rate was 68 and 17%, respectively (P = 0.01). Thirteen patients (45%) who underwent complete removal of the vena cava tumour thrombus are alive and free of disease, with a mean follow-up of 51.2 months (range 4-144); three died without disease 110, 31 and 23 months after operation. The 2-year and 5-year survival rates of 18 patients with known pre-operative metastases was 37.5 and 12.5% respectively; 14 died between 1 and 27 months post-operatively (mean 11.6) of metastatic disease. Two of these 18 patients experienced long-term remission: one died of unrelated causes 151 months after operation; the other was lost to follow-up 219 months after operation, with no evidence of disease. Of 14 patients with positive regional nodes, the mean survival in those with metastases compared with those without metastases was 7.5 versus 15 months, respectively; only one patient survived at 14 months. Operative intervention in patients without metastatic disease (systemic or regional) and complete removal of the vena cava thrombus achieved a 5-year survival rate of 68%. Variables which significantly decreased survival and may be considered contraindications for operation were systemic metastasis, regional lymph node involvement and incomplete removal of the vena cava thrombus.     

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with vena cava tumor thrombus

The results of the surgical management of 28 patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava have been analyzed. 8 patients had caval tumor thrombus extension at the level of the renal veins, 14 had infrahepatic, 5 retrohepatic and 1 atrial tumor thrombus extension. The caval wall was infiltrated by tumor in 7 cases. 9 patients had metastases. Lymph node involvement was seen in 9 patients. Life-table analysis of all 28 patients revealed on overall probability of survival of 32 and 9% at 2 and 5 years, respectively. The patients with caval involvement alone (N0M0) had a 2-year survival rate of 69%. Those with distant metastases or caval infiltration had a 2-year survival of 27 and 0% (p = NS). The level of caval tumor thrombus extension had a statistically insignificant influence on the survival of patients. In fact the 2-year survival rates of patients with caval thrombus at the level of the renal veins, below the large hepatic veins and above the large hepatic veins were 30, 36 and 32%, respectively. Our statistical data demonstrate that caval involvement has a very negative impact on the prognosis of patients with renal cancer.     

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extension into the vena cava: prospective long-term followup

PURPOSE: We prospectively evaluated long-term survival in patients with renal cell carcinoma extending to the inferior vena cava. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1993 and thereafter we followed 86 men and 48 women with a median age of 64 years (range 28 to 86) with renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus involvement of the inferior vena cava. Cancer specific survival was analyzed based on clinical therapy, tumor extent, thrombus level and grading. RESULTS: Median followup was 16.4 months (range 0 to 178.9). At the time of this report 97 cancer specific deaths had occurred. Of the 134 patients 111 underwent radical nephrectomy, cavotomy and thrombus extraction, of whom 30 had distant metastases at surgery, and 23 were treated with embolization and immunotherapy. These nonsurgical patients who refused surgery had a high tumor load or a low Karnofsky performance status that may have affected survival. They died at a median of 6.9 months (range 0.1 to 23.6). Patients treated surgically, including those with metastases, had a significantly higher median survival of 19.8 months (range 0 to 178.9). Surgical patients with localized tumor (N0M0) had significantly higher median survival than those with metastatic (NxM1) disease (51.7 months, range 0 to 178.9 vs 6.9, range 0.6 to 149.7). Surgical patients with metastatic disease who underwent interferon and interleukin based immunotherapy had significantly higher median survival than those who did not (13.5 months, range 2.5 to 149.7 vs 5.1, range 0.6 to 24.0). On multivariate analysis localized tumor stage (N0M0) vs advanced tumor stage (N+M0 and NxM1), Fuhrman grade groups 1 and 2 vs 3 and 4, and tumor thrombus levels I and II vs III and IV were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Currently radical surgery represents the only chance of long-term survival for patients with renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus extension in the inferior vena cava. Median cancer specific survival is significantly higher with localized tumor. However, even with metastatic disease radical surgery can prolong survival, especially when immunotherapy is added. Fuhrman grade and tumor thrombus level are also prognostic factors.     

Renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava: the prognostic significance of the level of vena caval involvement

The records of 24 patients with renal cell carcinoma involving the inferior vena cava who were free of metastatic disease at presentation were reviewed retrospectively. The over-all 2-year survival for the group was 45.8 per cent, with a mean survival of 38.9 months. When the group was analyzed according to the level of extension of the vena caval thrombus marked differences in the rate of survival and of incidence of local progression of disease were found. The 10 patients with an infrahepatic vena caval thrombus had a 2-year survival rate of 80 per cent and a mean survival of 61.4 months. Two patients (20 per cent) had extension of tumor into the perinephric fat and none had involvement of the regional lymph nodes. The 14 patients with a vena caval thrombus extending to the level of the hepatic veins or beyond had a 2-year survival rate of 21 per cent and a mean survival of 22.9 months. Tumor was present in the regional lymph nodes and/or perinephric fat in 9 of these patients (64 per cent). These results suggest that the level of vena caval involvement by tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma has prognostic significance.     

The role of radical surgery for renal cell carcinoma with extension into the vena cava

PURPOSE: New operative technologies, such as the bypass procedures that have become established in the last decade, have led to improved prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma and vena caval thrombi. We report the outcome of stage dependent surgical strategies in patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the vena cava. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1987 to August 1998, 93 patients with renal cell carcinoma invading the inferior vena cava were seen at our institution. Of the patients 79 underwent radical nephrectomy, phlebotomy and thrombus extraction, including 74 who underwent surgical treatment with cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. In 2 patients with retrohepatic thrombi we placed a pump driven femoro-axillary shunt during surgical resection of the retrohepatic tumor portion. RESULTS: Distant metastases and lymph node involvement proved to be highly significant prognostic factors for survival, while the cranial extent of the tumor thrombi had no prognostic impact. Patients without distant metastases had a 5-year survival rate of 34%, which improved to 39% if regional lymph nodes were not involved. There were 5 perioperative deaths (6.3%) and the highest perioperative mortality rate (40%) was seen in patients with supradiaphragmatic thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: Radical surgery for renal cell carcinoma extending to the vena cava is justified when the tumor thrombus does not extend beyond the level of the diaphragm in the cranial direction. In view of the high perioperative mortality decisions about radical surgery must be made individually in patients with level IV thrombi, even if long-term survival is possible.     

Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extension: biology,role of nephrectomy and response to immunotherapy

PURPOSE: We outline the biology, prognosis and role of immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma with gross venous tumor thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 207 patients with unilateral renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus into the renal vein (107) and inferior vena cava (100) who underwent nephrectomy and thrombectomy were compared with 607 without tumor thrombus. RESULTS: At diagnosis 77 patients (37%) had N0M0 disease and 130 (63%) had lymph node (N+) or distant (M1) metastases. Compared with nontumor thrombus cases tumor thrombus was associated with more advanced stage, N+ (26% versus 12%), M1 (54% versus 31%) disease, higher grade and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. In N0M0 cases with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus capsular penetration, collecting system invasion and extension into the hepatic vein were more important prognostic variables then the level of inferior vena caval thrombus. In patients with confined N0M0 tumors mean 2 and 5-year survival +/- SD was 83% +/- 8.8% and 72% +/- 10.7% in those with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus, and 90% +/- 9.4% and 68% +/- 16.1% in those with renal vein tumor thrombus, similar to the 93.4% +/- 1.7% and 81 +/- 3.1% rates, respectively, in those without thrombus who had no recurrence within 6 months after nephrectomy. Of patients with M1 disease in whom cytoreductive surgery was done those with and without thrombus showed a similar response to immunotherapy. When there was inferior vena caval and renal vein thrombus, mean 2-year survival was higher after nephrectomy and immunotherapy than after nephrectomy alone (41% +/- 9% and 52% +/- 7% versus 32% +/- 13% and 45% +/- 7%), immunotherapy alone (0% and 13% +/- 12%, respectively) and no treatment (0%). CONCLUSIONS: Renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus is associated with worse characteristics. Local tumor extension has greater prognostic importance than the level of inferior vena caval tumor thrombus. Survival is fair in patients with truly confined N0M0 disease and thrombus. The combination of surgery and immunotherapy has a role in thrombus cases. Our data provide the rationale for a prospective study of adjuvant immunotherapy after surgery in N0M0 cases with extensive tumor thrombus.     

Renal cell carcinoma with extension of tumor thrombus into the vena cava: surgical strategy and prognosis

PURPOSE: The outcome of patients who underwent radical resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into the vena cava was retrospectively analyzed, and risk factors for long-term survival were investigated. METHODS: From 1983 to 1999, 33 patients who had renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval tumor extension underwent 34 surgical procedures. There were 27 men and six women with an average age of 60.1 years. Twenty-two cases (64.7%) were classified as stage III (T1-2 N1 M0 or T3 N0-1 M0), and 12 cases (35.3%) as stage IV (T4 or N2-3 or M1). Coexistent lung metastasis was found in seven cases (20.6%). The tumor thrombi invaded into the inferior vena cava below the hepatic hilum in 19 cases, below the orifice of hepatic veins in 12, and above the diaphragm in 3. Cardiopulmonary bypass graft was applied in 13 cases (38.2%). Inferior vena cava was reconstructed by direct suture (n = 19), polytetrafluoroethylene patch angioplasty (n = 13), or graft replacement (n = 2). RESULTS: Two patients died during the early postoperative period because of retrohepatic caval injury and intraoperative pulmonary embolism. Late death occurred in 16 patients; the causes of death were tumor recurrence in 15 and acute pulmonary embolism as a result of graft thrombosis in 1. Overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 70%, 44%, and 26.4%, respectively. One- and 5-year survival rates were 81.3% and 52.9% for stage III and 50% and 31.2% for stage IV; a statistically significant correlation was found between surgical staging and survival (P =.049). Patients without lymph node metastasis had a significant survival advantage over those with lymph node metastasis (P =.022). There was no significant difference in survival on the basis of the presence or absence of synchronous lung metastasis (P =.291). The degree of local extension of the tumor or the level of tumor thrombus did not tend to influence survival. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the vena cava was determined by the staging of the tumor, especially lymph node status, and not by the level of tumor thrombus or the presence of concurrent lung metastasis. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass graft is recommended for the resection of tumor thrombus extending over the diaphragm.     

Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval involvement

Renal cell carcinoma extends into the lumen of the inferior vena cava in approximately 4% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Surgical removal of the intracaval tumor thrombus with radical nephrectomy is the preferred treatment for this malignancy. From January 1977 to June 1990, 31 such patients were examined for combined problems of renal carcinoma and intracaval tumor extension. Twenty-six of these patients underwent radical nephrectomy and vena caval thrombectomy. Ten patients had tumor thrombus confined to the infrahepatic vena cava, 11 had retrohepatic caval involvement, and 5 had extension to the level of the diaphragm or into the right atrium. Surgical approach was dictated by the level of caval involvement. Control of the suprahepatic vena cava plus temporary occlusion of hepatic arterial and portal venous inflow were necessary in some cases; cardiopulmonary bypass was required for transatrial removal of more extensive tumors. Five of the 26 patients had evidence before operation of distant metastatic disease; none of these survived beyond 12 months. The 5-year actuarial survival rate of the 21 patients without known preoperative metastatic disease was 57%. Complete surgical excision of all gross tumor appears to be critical for long-term survival in these patients.     

METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA WITH CONCURRENT INFERIOR VENA CAVAL INVASION: LONG-TERM SURVIVAL AFTER COMBINATION THERAPY WITH RADICAL NEPHRECTOMY, VENA CAVAL THROMBECTOMY AND POSTOPERATIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY

PURPOSE: We report our experience using aggressive multimodal therapy in a high risk group of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and concurrent inferior vena caval extension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients in our kidney cancer database who had metastatic renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus extension into the inferior vena cava at the initial diagnosis. Patients were included in the study if they underwent radical nephrectomy and inferior venal caval thombectomy, and immunotherapy was planned for the postoperative period. Tumor size and grade, metastatic sites, level of vena caval extension, surgical complications and overall survival were obtained from the medical records. The primary end point analyzed was overall survival. RESULTS: We identified 31 cases of metastatic renal cell cancer with extensive disease and vena caval extension. Of the patients 23% had an isolated lung metastasis, and 53% had metastasis in the lung and at other sites. The remaining patients had involvement primarily at nonpulmonary metastatic sites, including lymph node in 38%, soft tissue in 13%, liver in 29% and bone in 10%. Average blood loss during nephrectomy was 3,200 cc (median 2,100) and the rate of major complications was 12%. Of the patients 80% underwent the full course of surgery and postoperative immunotherapy. At a mean followup of 18 months (34 for survivors) 26% of the patients are alive. Actuarial overall 5-year survival of the group was 17%. Tumor thrombus level did not correlate with overall survival, while immunotherapy, tumor grade and metastatic site provided significant prognostic information. In patients with an isolated pulmonary metastasis the 5-year survival rate was 43%, while in those with low grade tumors it was 52%. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the poor results of surgery only in patients with renal cell carcinoma and concurrent inferior venal caval invasion, reasonable 5-year survival may be achieved after combined aggressive surgery and immunotherapy. Patients in whom metastasis was limited to the lungs and those with grade 1 to 2 tumors had a better prognosis. With careful planning and experienced immunotherapists therapy may be completed in the majority of this high risk group of patients.     

Investigation of 14 renal cell carcinoma cases with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava

Renal cell carcinoma tends to progress into the renal vein and inferior vena cava. We investigated 14 cases of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Surgery was performed in nine cases and mean survival was 53 months. Two cases are alive 8 years after the operation without recurrence or metastasis. The mean survival of 5 cases without operation was 7 months. Surgical management should be considered as a benefit for RCC patients with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava.     

Case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava

We describe a case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. A 71-year-old male was admitted to our department for, careful examination of bilateral renal tumors. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral solid enhanced renal masses with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the left renal vein. The renal tumor did not reveal distant metastatic lesions. We enforced two-term operation for bilateral renal tumor. First, right nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy in the IVC were performed. On the 32th day after the first operation, we performed left nephrectomy. On the second day after the last operation, the patient received hemodialysis. The histopathological diagnosis revealed bilateral renal cell carcinomas. At 9 months after the last operation, the patient had multiple bone metastases, multiple liver metastases and multiple lung metastases.     

Renal cancers with venous extension: surgical problems

Renal cell carcinoma with a thrombus limited to the trunk of the renal vein is quite different from renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava. In the first case, the operative mortality is low, and the five year survival rate is about 53%. In the second case, surgery is difficult and the mortality is high; the gravity is directly related to the level of tumour thrombus involvement in the inferior vena cava; the proportion of cases with metastatic dissemination at the time of surgery is higher; the two year survival rate is 38.5% only. However, the long term survival rate of patients without metastasis and alive after surgical management, is equal in the two groups, about 60%. The prognosis of surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma with massive extension high in the inferior vena cava would be improved by the optimal patient selection (patients without metastasis) and by the use of cardio-vascular surgical procedures (CEC).     

肾脏恶性肿瘤并静脉转移的外科治疗

目的：探讨肾脏恶性肿瘤并发静脉内转移的外科治疗方法及预后。方法：报告10例肾脏恶性肿瘤，其中肾细胞癌6例，肾母细胞瘤2例，肾盂癌1例，肾平滑肌肉瘤1例。肾静脉内转移4例，肝下型腔静脉转移5例，肝后和肝上的腔静脉内转移1例。在根治性切除患肾的同时阻断瘤栓上下的腔静脉和对侧肾静脉，完整取除瘤栓，腔静脉壁受累者同时切除腔静脉壁，术后辅以免疫治疗和放射治疗。结果：随访7年，平均5年生存率40％，肾母细胞瘤生存期小于3年，腔静脉壁受累者生存期小于1年，并发区域淋巴结转移者5年生存率33％。结论：手术切除静脉内转移癌是提高患者生存期的惟一手段，其预后取决于原发癌肿的性质和癌栓是否完全切除，而与癌栓的位置无直接相关。静脉内肿瘤转移同时并发腔静脉壁受累或区域淋巴结阳性的患者预后较差。     

Neoplasia renal con extensión a la vena cava

Renal cancer with vena cava tumour thrombus is relatively rare (4 to 10%). Because of the poor results obtained with any kind of alternative therapy (e.g. radiation, hormonal, chemotherapy and immunotherapy) operation with complete removal of the vena cava tumour thrombus continues to be the better method of treatment. The prognostic significance of the cephalic extent of an inferior vena caval tumor thrombus associated with renal cell carcinoma is controversial. Long-term survival after surgical treatment is possible in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (survival 50% at five years). The authors report a case of vena caval extension of renal cell carcinoma in a 70-years-old man. The patient presented with a history of right lombar pain and pedal edema. Magnetic Ressonance demonstrated the presence and the level of tumoral thrombus. The patient was submitted to a radical nefrectomy and complete removal of tumor thrombus from vena caval     

Management of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic implication of radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma is still controversial. We investigated the type of renal cell carcinoma with vena cava tumor thrombus for which surgical resection was beneficial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 16 patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Of these, 10 received surgical treatment and 6 did not. We evaluated the association between the pretreatment serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and the efficacy of surgery. RESULTS: Among the 8 patients with an elevated pretreatment serum CRP level (CRP > or = 1.0 ng/ml), there was no significant difference of the median disease-specific survival between those who did (20.2 months) and did not undergo surgery (8.2 months; p = 0.1946). On the other hand, among the 8 patients who had a pretreatment serum CRP level within normal limits (CRP < 1.0 ng/ml), the median disease-specific survival of those who did not undergo surgery (80.6 months) was significantly better than that of those who did (50.2 months; p = 0.0136). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that conservative treatment can be recommended for patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus when the pretreatment serum CRP level is normal because tumor progression is usually slow and surgical treatment may actually worsen the prognosis.     

Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and metastatic caval wall invasion

We present a case of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval tumor thrombus and metastatic involvement of the distal inferior vena cava.     

Resection of renal tumors invading the vena cava

Surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma remains the mainstay for the management of patients who suffer from this disease. Five percent to 10% of renal cell carcinomas develop a tumor thrombus that propagates into the renal vein or the inferior vena cava. Radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy can provide longstanding survival rates comparable to those for tumors confined to the renal parenchyma. In general the surgical approach is dictated by the cephalad extension of tumor thrombus. This article reviews the authors' experience with 243 patients who suffered from renal cell carcinoma with extension into the venous system with specific reference to the surgical techniques and the long-term outcomes.