超声造影在肾癌诊断中的应用现状及展望

肾癌（Renal Cell Carcinoma,RCC）亦称肾细胞癌,是成人最为多见的肾实质肿癌（75％）.男女之比约3：1。患者一旦出现典型症状：腰痛、血尿、腹部肿物三联征往往肿瘤已经较大,为期已晚、预后较差。以往外科切除RCC直径平均7cm一8cm,直径3cm以内的小肿瘤仅占1％-5％,     

Xp11.2易位性肾癌的临床特点、治疗及预后

目的 分析Xp11.2易位性肾癌病例的临床特点、治疗及预后。方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2018年6月于四川大学华西医院病理确诊为Xp11.2易位性肾癌的15例患者的临床资料。Ⅰ~Ⅲ期的病例中,4例行保留肾单位手术,7例行根治性肾癌切除术,术后均未行辅助治疗。4例Ⅳ期的患者中2例行细胞减灭性肾切除术联合靶向药物治疗,1例行原发灶和转移灶联合切除术。应用Kaplan-Meier法分析总生存率, Log-rank检验进行单因素分析。结果 全组病例中男性6例,女性9例（60%）;年龄5～60岁,中位年龄28岁;18岁以下5例,小于46岁者共13例（86.7%）。本组Ⅰ~Ⅲ期的11例患者随访中均未见复发及转移,其中1例随访中出现第二原发肿瘤。Log-rank检验分析得出T4/Ⅳ期的患者较非T4/Ⅳ期患者的生存率低、肿瘤最大径>7cm者较≤7cm者生存率低。结论Xp11.2易位性肾癌发病率女性多于男性,临床症状不典型,晚期患者易出现骨、肺转移。手术为该病最为重要的治疗手段,原发病灶和转移病灶联合切除可以提高晚期患者生存时间。MSKCC评分可能作为Ⅳ期患者评价预后的指标。肿瘤最大径>7cm、T4/Ⅳ期可能是影响预后的因素。     

肾集合管癌10例分析

目的：研究肾集合管癌的临床病理特征。方法：回顾性研究肾集合管癌的临床及病理资料并进行随访。结果10例肾集合管癌占肾癌的2．1％,主要症状为血尿、腰腹痛。9例行肾癌根治术,1例行肿瘤剜除术。肿瘤主要位于肾髓质,呈灰白色或淡黄色,侵袭性生长;以腺管乳头状结构为主,部分混有肉瘤样癌,腺样囊性癌、条索及巢状癌。Fuhrman病理分级;G2,1例;G3,4例;G4,5例,TNM综合病理分期：Ⅰ期4例,Ⅱ2例,Ⅲ期1例,Ⅳ期3例,6例死于肾癌转移,其中1例术后19个月死于心脏病;2例无瘤生存,1例失访。平均生存时间13．3个月。结论肾集合管癌临床症状19个月死于心脏病;2例无瘤生存;1例失访。平均生存时间13．3个月。结论肾集合管癌临床症状明显,临床病理分期高,进展快,主要治疗方法为肾癌根治术,多数病例于术后数月发生转移或死亡。     

≤4cm肾细胞癌手术方式和预后比较

目的：探讨≤4cm肾细胞癌患者的手术方式和预后特点。方法：分析1992年1月至2002年12月诊断为肾细胞癌的75例患者的临床表现、手术方式和预后生存。结果：75例≤4cm的肾细胞癌患者均行手术治疗，其中50例（66．7％）为偶发性肾癌，有症状的25例（33．3％）。19例（253％）行肾部分切除术，56倒（74．7％）行肾癌根治术。肿瘤大小中位数为3．2cm（1．2-4cm）。平均随访时间60个月（1～1J8个月），肾部分切除术和肾癌根治术的5年生存率分别为95．4％。84．7％、5年肿瘤特异生存率为100％．结论：对于≤4cm的局限性肾细胞癌，无论是肾部分切除术或肾癌根治术．都有良好的预期生存.     

肾癌与MicroRNA-421相对表达量之间的相关性

目的 观察肾细胞癌的临床流行病学特征,探讨MicroRNA-421与肾癌之间的相关性.方法 回顾性分析109例肾癌患者的临床病例资料.结果 miR-421表达水平与肾癌的病理类型、病理分级、分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移有显著相关性(P＜0.05),与患者性别、年龄及肿瘤侵犯程度无显著相关性(P＞0.05).结论 miR-421对不同程度的肾癌具有良好的判断效果,可作为不同病理期肾癌的潜在诊断标准.     

维持性血液透析并发肾癌的临床病理特点

目的:探讨维持性血液透析并发肾癌的临床病理特点及预后。方法:回顾性分析我院2013年01月至2020年01月收治的10例维持性血液透析并发肾癌患者的临床病理资料,并与同期肾功能正常肾癌患者比较。结果:男6例,女4例;平均年龄49.4(31～63)岁,维持血透时间平均49.6（19～62）个月。3例患者存在获得性肾囊肿。临床表现为肉眼血尿1例,其余9例无肾肿瘤临床症状。肿瘤均单侧单发。肿瘤最大径平均为3.9（1.2～5.4） cm。仅1例血尿患者临床分期T3aN0M0,余9例临床分期T1N0M0。患者均行后腹腔镜根治性肾切除术。术后病理证实为肾透明细胞癌9例（90%）,乳头状肾细胞癌1例（10%）。相较肾功能正常肾癌患者,维持性血液透析并发肾癌患者具有年轻、瘤体小和分级低的特点（P＜0.05）,且平均随访64.7（26～104）个月,患者均存活,未见肿瘤复发及远处转移。结论:维持性血液透析并发肾癌患者具有较好的临床病理结果,积极手术治疗预后好。维持性血液透析患者需警惕并发肾癌的风险,由于患者大多无临床症状,故需定期筛查。     

肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤的诊治

背景与目的:肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤自2004年起被WHO单独分类在肾脏肿瘤中,但其真正的生物学行为仍不清楚。本研究探讨肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤的临床病理特征、诊断治疗及预后。方法:选择本院诊治的肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤患者7例。男性3例,女性4例。中位年龄28(23~55)岁。有首发症状4例,体检发现3例。4例肿物局限于肾内,1例侵犯肾盂并侵犯肾静脉形成静脉瘤栓,1例同时发现腹膜后淋巴结转移,1例侵犯肾盂并同期发现肝多发转移和肺多发转移。术前诊断肾癌5例,诊断少脂肪血管平滑肌脂肪瘤2例。行根治性肾切除术5例,行肾部分切除术2例。结果:肿瘤假包膜均不明显,大体标本测量最大径2.5~14 cm,中位最大径5 cm。肿物切面质硬,多结节状,灰白至灰黄红色,有向肾周脂肪浸润性生长倾向,2例浸润腰大肌,2例浸润肾盂,1例形成肾静脉瘤栓,1例肾周淋巴结转移。7例镜下均见到特征增生的上皮样细胞;病理免疫组化染色后均表现黑色素细胞标志物HMB45、Melan-A强阳性,平滑肌细胞标志物SMA弱阳性,上皮细胞标志物CK阴性。病理诊断为上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤。术后患者随访3~36个月,中位随访12个月,7例患者目前均存活。4例复诊未发现复发及转移征象。2例术后出现远处转移并行手术切除。1例术前发现肝、肺多发转移患者接受舒尼替尼靶向治疗3个月后,疗效评价部分缓解(PR),继续治疗3个月后肿瘤进展,疗效评价为疾病进展(PD)。结论:肾上皮样血管平滑肌脂肪瘤临床和影像学表现不典型,需要和肾癌及少脂肪血管平滑肌脂肪瘤鉴别。病理免疫组化黑色素细胞标志强阳性为特征表现。手术为主要治疗方法,术后有复发和转移可能。手术和靶向治疗可能成为转移灶的有效治疗手段。     

CT和MRI在宫颈癌诊断与分期中的对照研究

[目的]探讨MRI及CT对宫颈癌术前诊断的参考价值和临床意义。[方法]118例宫颈癌病例术前分别行MRI及CT检查，对比分析两组观察肿瘤位置、间质浸润、阴道或穹隆侵犯、宫体侵犯、淋巴结转移情况及宫旁侵犯与手术病理，计算检出率、特异度。[结果]IA期病例中，MRI及CT对病灶及其间质浸润均无法检出，IB期及ⅡA期病例中，MRI组判断宫颈癌间质浸润的检出率为98．2％，CT组为84.3％（P〈0．05）；MRI组判断阴道或穹隆侵犯的检出率为85．7％，CT组为8．3％（P〈0．01）；MRI组判断宫体侵犯的检出率为75．0％．CT组为22.2％（P〈0．01）；MRI组判断淋巴结转移的检出率为27．3％，CT组为14.3％（P〉0．05）：MRI组及CT组判断宫旁侵犯的检出率均为100％。[结论]MRI在判断肿瘤位置、间质浸润、阴道或穹隆侵犯、宫体侵犯均优于CT；判断淋巴结转移及宫旁侵犯与CT相比无明显优势。相对于CT,IB期及ⅡA期官颔痛病例术前行MRT榆杏且有可女的价值。     

nm23基因在人甲状腺乳头状癌的表达及其与淋巴结转移的关系

应用免疫组化ＡＢＣ法检测１００例甲状腺乳头状癌标本中ｎｍ２３基因产物二磷酸核苷激酶（ＮＤＰＫ）的表达。结果总阳性率６７％，其中无淋巴结转移组阳性率８５％（３４／４０），伴有淋巴结转移组阳性率５５％（３３／６０）（Ｐ＜０．０１）；未侵犯包膜组阳性率７９％（３０／３８），侵犯包膜组阳性率６０％（３７／６２）（Ｐ＜０．０５），提示ｎｍ２３基因在甲状腺乳头状癌的表达与淋巴结转移及包膜侵犯呈负相关关系。结果还显示，在ｎｍ２３基因表达阳性的病例中，未侵犯包膜与侵犯包膜组淋巴结转移率分别是７％（２／３０）及８４％（３１／３７），（Ｐ＜０．０１），提示尽管ｎｍ２３阳性，侵犯包膜组明显比未侵犯包膜组淋巴结转移机会大；在未侵犯包膜的病例中，ｎｍ２３（－）及ｎｍ２３（＋）病例的淋巴结转移率分别是７５％（６／８）及７％（２／３０）（Ｐ＜０．０５），提示尽管未侵犯包膜，但在ｎｍ２３阴性时，淋巴结转移的可能性仍很大。结论：本检测有助于探讨代表甲状腺乳头状癌转移趋势的分子生物学标志，更科学地选择手术方式。     

肿瘤内侵程度对肾部分切除术围手术期的影响

目的:探讨肿瘤内侵程度对肾部分切除术的围手术期的影响,评估肾部分切除术对早期肾癌的远期治疗效果。方法:收集2011年1 月至2013年12月于天津医科大学肿瘤医院接受行肾部分切除术的T1N0M0 肾癌患者157 例,以肿瘤边缘与集合系统或肾窦脂肪距离<1 cm与≥1 cm分组。统计两组围手术期结果及病理类型,记录术后并发症并进行随访。结果:患者性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、肿瘤是否累犯中极、出血量、术后住院时间、肿瘤病理类型在组间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 肿瘤边缘与集合系统的距离<1 cm组的患者术中的热缺血时间与手术时间较长,均差异具有统计学意义（P=0.001 与P=0.033）。 术后并发症10例。术后中位随访18个月,均未见肿瘤复发或转移。结论:肿瘤边缘与集合系统的距离反映肾部分切除术的复杂程度,并与手术热缺血时间、手术时间相关,肾部分切除术治疗T1M0N0 肾癌并发症发生率低、复发或转移率低,安全有效。      

Close correlation of tumor size and volume with TNM stage in renal cell carcinoma

Background Tumor size is important when distinguishing T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from T2 disease. However, further details of the relationship between tumor size and TNM classifications have not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between the size and TNM stage of RCC and compared it with correlations for tumor volume. Methods We retrospectively studied 241 patients with RCC and obtained data on size and TNM stage from surgical records. To assess the correlation of these variables with involvement of the renal capsule, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, the area under the corresponding receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated. The statistical significance of differences between these ROC curves was also studied. Results With respect to involvement of the renal capsule, the areas under the ROC curves for tumor size and volume were 0.796 and 0.800, respectively. There was no significant difference between tumor size and tumor volume. With lymph node metastasis, the areas for tumor size and volume were 0.751 and 0.757, respectively. With distant metastasis they were 0.693 and 0.722, respectively. The areas for tumor volume were larger than those for tumor size, but there were no significant differences between these 2 variables. By using a cutoff value of 5 cm for tumor size and 65 mL for tumor volume, we obtained a high sensitivity and specificity in detecting renal capsular invasion. Conclusion Tumor size and volume are both sensitive and specific indices of renal capsular invasion. These variables, obtained before surgery by imaging modalities, could be useful for preoperative staging of RCC, especially for T staging.     

Role of clinicopathological variables in predicting recurrence and survival outcomes after surgery for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents 2% of all diagnosed malignancies worldwide, with disease recurrence affecting 20% to 40% of patients. Existing prognostic recurrence models based on clinicopathological features continue to be a subject of controversy. In this meta-analysis, we summarized research findings that explored the correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and post-surgery survival outcomes in non-metastatic RCC patients. Our analysis incorporates 99 publications spanning 140 568 patients. The study's main findings indicate that the following clinicopathological characteristics were associated with unfavorable survival outcomes: T stage, tumor grade, tumor size, lymph node involvement, tumor necrosis, sarcomatoid features, positive surgical margins (PSM), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), early recurrence, constitutional symptoms, poor performance status (PS), low hemoglobin level, high body-mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. All of which emerged as predictors for poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival. Clear cell (CC) subtype, urinary collecting system invasion (UCSI), capsular penetration, perinephric fat invasion, renal vein invasion (RVI) and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) were all associated with poor RFS. In contrast, age, sex, tumor laterality, nephrectomy type and approach had no impact on survival outcomes. As part of an additional analysis, we attempted to assess the association between these characteristics and late recurrences (relapses occurring more than 5 years after surgery). Nevertheless, we did not find any prediction capabilities for late disease recurrences among any of the features examined. Our findings highlight the prognostic significance of various clinicopathological characteristics potentially aiding in the identification of high-risk RCC patients and enhancing the development of more precise prediction models.     

Osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma

Background

RCC accounts for only 2–3% of all cancers. Due to its’ non-specific symptoms disease is often diagnosed in advanced stage. Disseminated RCC frequently produces bone metastases that are almost always highly destructive, hyper vascularized and purely osteolytic.

Case report.

In this article we describe a case of a 71-year old male patient with disseminated osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and present a short review of published literature reporting cases of osteoblastic bone metastases from RCC. Our patient presented with thoracic pain aggravated by movement. He was diagnosed with predominantly osteoblastic bone metastases in the skeleton of thoracic and lumbar vertebra along with metastases in iliac bones, ribs, humerus and clavicles. Initially, origin of bone metastases was unknown, but later a small tumor in patient’s right kidney was identified. Microscopic evaluation of the open bone biopsy showed clear cell RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation.

Conclusions

Although, due to its’ rarity, RCC is not included in the primary differential diagnosis in patients with osteoblastic metastases, such rare cases suggest that RCC may be considered in the diagnosis when there no other primary tumor is found.     

肾癌下腔静脉癌栓的诊断和手术方法的探讨--附6例临床分析并文献复习

背景与目的:肾癌下腔静脉癌栓临床处理困难,肾癌根治性切除的同时再切除肾静脉癌栓和取出下腔静脉癌栓,预后仍然良好。术前明确诊断,特别是对癌栓延伸范围的判断,对手术方式的选择十分重要。本研究结合我们的经验,进一步探讨肾癌下腔静脉癌栓的诊断和手术治疗。方法:回顾性分析我院2000～2004年收治的6例肾癌并发下腔静脉癌栓患者的临床资料,包括诊断方法、手术治疗和预后。结果:6例患者术前均经B超、CT和MRI明确诊断,肾静脉型1例,肝下型3例,肝内型2例;1例肝内型患者术中死亡,余5例均手术成功。术后随访3～30个月,1例肝下型和1例肝内型患者分别于术后9个月、3个月死于远处转移,其余3例仍存活。结论:CT、MRI是目前无创诊断肾癌伴下腔静脉癌栓的最佳方法;对无淋巴结和远处转移的患者,应积极手术治疗;手术方式的选择取决于癌栓的延伸范围以及是否侵犯下腔静脉壁。     

Impact of Sulfatase‐2 on cancer progression and prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Heparan sulfate‐specific endosulfatase‐2 (SULF‐2) can modulate the signaling of heparan sulfate proteoglycan‐binding proteins. The involvement of SULF‐2 in cancer growth varies by cancer type. The roles of SULF‐2 expression in the progression and prognosis of renal cell carcinomas (RCC) have not yet been fully clarified. In the present study, the expression levels of SULF‐2 mRNA and protein in 49 clinical RCC samples were determined by RT‐PCR and immunostaining. The existence of RCC with higher SULF‐2 expression and lower SULF‐2 expression compared to the adjacent normal kidney tissues was suggested. High SULF‐2 expression was correlated with an early clinical stage and less invasive pathological factors. Low SULF‐2 expression was correlated with an advanced stage and higher invasive factors. Three‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) for high SULF‐2 RCC and low SULF‐2 RCC were 100% and 71.4%, respectively (log‐rank P = 0.0019), with a significantly shorter CSS observed in low SULF‐2 RCC patients. The influence of SULF‐2 expression level on Wnt/VEGF/FGF signaling, cell viability and invasive properties was examined in three RCC cell lines, Caki‐2, ACHN and 786‐O, using a SULF‐2 suppression model involving siRNA or a SULF‐2 overexpression model involving a plasmid vector. High SULF‐2 expression enhanced Wnt signaling and Wnt‐induced cell viability, but not cell invasion. In contrast, low levels of SULF‐2 expression significantly enhanced both cell invasion and viability through the activation of VEGF/FGF pathways. RCC with lower SULF‐2 expression might have a higher potential for cell invasion and proliferation, leading to a poorer prognosis via the activation of VEGF and/or FGF signaling.     

癌基因Gli2促进肾癌细胞的体外侵袭能力

目的:研究Gli2与肾癌细胞侵袭之间的关系。方法:采用免疫组织化学染色的方法对41例肾癌临床标本中Gli2的表达情况进行检测,并分析Gli2在局部侵袭性肾癌和非局部侵袭性肾癌中的表达差异。运用肾癌细胞模型,通过过表达Gli2质粒或添加Gli2特异性抑制剂干预细胞,采用体外侵袭实验分析Gli2在肾癌细胞侵袭能力中的作用,RT-PCR检测Gli2对细胞侵袭相关基因的调控作用。结果:Gli2蛋白在T3-4期肾癌中的表达水平明显高于T1-2期（P＜0.05）,Gli2过表达能明显促进肾癌细胞的体外侵袭能力,反之,Gli2特异性的抑制剂Gant61则显著减弱肾癌细胞的体外侵袭能力。Gli2抑制肾癌细胞上皮标记物E-Cadherin的表达,上调间质标记物N-Cadherin,Vimentin,MMP-2及MMP-9的表达;Gli2抑制剂的作用则相反。结论:Gli2通过调控侵袭相关基因的表达促进肾癌细胞的侵袭。     

肾癌多型核粒细胞弹性蛋白酶表达的研究

目的　研究肾癌多型核粒细胞弹性蛋白酶(polymorphonuclearleukocyteelastase,PMNE)的表达。方法　应用酶联免疫吸附实验研究肾癌组织中PMNE的表达;病理切片CD34染色,检测肾癌细胞对微血管的侵袭。结果　59例肾癌组织中PMNE的表达明显高于12例正常肾组织,P<0. 01;肾癌组织中PMNE的表达与肿瘤TNM分期密切相关,P<0. 01;肾癌组织中癌细胞对微血管的侵袭与PMNE的表达关系密切,P<0.01。结论　PMNE的表达与肾癌的临床病理学表现关系密切,PMNE在肾癌的发展过程中具有重要的作用。     

Translocation renal cell carcinoma: lack of negative impact due to lymph node spread

BACKGROUND: Pediatric renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is clinically distinct from adult RCC. Characterization of the unique biological and clinical features of pediatric RCC are required. METHODS: A retrospective review and biological analysis of all RCC cases presenting to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in the last 30 years was undertaken. Cases were classified according to the recent World Heath Organization morphologic classification and according to TFE3/TFEB status. A literature review of pediatric TFE+ cases was performed. RESULTS: Eleven cases of RCC with clinical data were identified in our institutional review as follows: 6 clear cell, 2 papillary, 2 translocation, and 1 sarcomatoid. Upon reanalysis, 1 papillary and 1 sarcomatoid were confirmed, 1 case was "unclassified", and 8 of 11 (72.7%) had features consistent with translocation morphology. Of these 8, all demonstrated immunoreactivity for TFE3 (7 patients) or TFEB (1 patient) protein. In 3 cases, cytogenetics was available, each demonstrating confirmatory MiTF/TFE translocations. Seven of 8 TFE+ RCC patients presented with TNM Stage III/IV disease. Literature analysis confirmed a significant increase in advanced stage presentation in pediatric TFE+ RCC compared with TFE- RCC. Fourteen of fifteen (93.3%) patients with TFE+ stage III/IV RCC due to lymph node spread (N+ M(0)) remain disease free with a median and mean follow-up of 4.4 and 6.3 years, respectively (range, 0.3-15.5). CONCLUSIONS: Translocation morphology RCC is the predominant form of pediatric RCC, associated with an advanced stage at presentation. Patients with TFE+ N+ M(0) RCC maintain a favorable short-term prognosis after surgery alone. Young RCC patients should be screened for translocation morphology, and the screening information should be considered when debating adjuvant therapy.     

Prognostic histological and immune markers of renal cell carcinoma

Recent development on the fields of molecular genetics and immunology of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have resulted in more successful treatment of advanced and metastatic RCCs. Re-evaluation of the prognostic/predictive data aim the initial tumor staging of RCC patients to achieve better patient selection for immune and gene therapy. 125 RCC patients diagnosed according to the Heidelberg histological classification, graded, Robson staged, immune treated (Interferon-a a+ Vinblastine or Broncho-Waxom/Decaris) were followed-up clinically for 36 months. Tumor immunity markers by immunohistochemistry of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were detected by immunoperoxidase methods using monoclonal antibodies. Tumoral immune complexes (TIC) were visualized by fluorescent polyclonal antibodies. Histologically oncocytomas defined a better (p<0.02) and sarcomatous RCCs a worse (p<0.01) follow-up prognosis. Basically, the metastatic status (related with the stage and grade) determined the clinical outcome (p<0.00002) of the RCC patients. Tumoral immune complexes (TIC) were weak positive, while tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) weak negative predictors of the succes of Broncho-Waxom/Decaris immune therapy. Molecular genetic based histological classification, grade, stage and metastatic status parameters together with some tumor immunity parameters (TIL, TIC) can predict the success of immunotherapy of RCC patients.     

Renal vein and vena cava involvement does not affect prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of tumor extension into the renal vein or vena cava is still a controversial issue. The aim of this study is to report our experience with radical surgery in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) extending into the renal vein or subdiaphragmatic vena cava. METHODS: We evaluated 142 patients with RCC involving the renal vein or inferior subdiaphragmatic vena cava. RCC had extended into the renal vein in 118 patients and into the inferior vena cava in the remaining 24. Radical nephrectomy was performed in all cases with renal vein invasion. Radical nephrectomy with cavotomy and tumor thrombus removal was carried out in all cases with inferior subdiaphragmatic vena caval invasion. Cause-specific survival was calculated by means of the Kaplan-Meier method. The log rank test was used for survival comparisons and univariate analysis. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year cause-specific survival rates were 51.5 and 39%, respectively, in the group of patients with tumor extension into the renal vein and 33.4% in those with inferior vena caval involvement. In 52 patients (44%), RCC extended only into the renal vein. In the remaining 66 patients, renal vein invasion was associated with other adverse prognostic factors. Life expectancy was lower for patients with other concurrent adverse prognostic factors than for those affected by renal vein involvement alone (p < 0.0001). In the latter group, survival expectancy was similar to those with stage T2N0M0 tumor. In 7 cases (29%), inferior vena caval invasion was not associated with other adverse prognostic factors. In the remaining 15 patients (71%), vena caval involvement was associated with other adverse prognostic factors. Concurrence of other adverse prognostic factors with vena caval invasion significantly decreased the disease-specific survival expectancy in comparison with the patients in whom vena caval involvement was the main prognostic factor (p = 0.008). In these patients, disease-specific survival was similar to those with stage T2N0M0 tumor. CONCLUSION: Renal vein or inferior subdiaphragmatic vena caval involvement does not significantly affect prognosis in patients with RCC.