Surgical strategy for treating renal cell carcinoma with thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava

OBJECTIVE: A surgical strategy for treating malignant renal tumors with thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) was assessed. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records for all patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC; n=30) or Wilms tumor (n=1) with tumor thrombus extending into the IVC who underwent surgical intervention at our institution between January 1980 and December 2001. Tumors were classified preoperatively according to the cephalad extension of thrombus, and intraoperative procedures were selected on the basis of degree of extension. Patients with RCC underwent radical nephrectomy and removal of thrombus with (n=11) or without (n=19) IVC resection. Partial normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass without cardiac arrest was used in 4 patients. The Pringle maneuver was performed in 8 patients. Infrarenal abdominal aortic cross-clamping was used in 8 patients to maintain systemic blood pressure. IVC cross-clamping and the Pringle maneuver were performed in 5 patients with suprahepatic thrombus extension. Temporary placement of a filter in the IVC or plication of the IVC above the hepatic vein was performed before hepatic mobilization, to decrease the risk for pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: One patient died intraoperatively of pulmonary embolism. Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients; all resolved with conservative therapy. The postoperative duration of survival in patients with RCC was 37 +/- 44 months (range, 4-180 months); the 5-year survival rate was 42%. CONCLUSION: Aortic cross-clamping during IVC occlusion prevented hypotension and maintained hemodynamic stability that has required bypass in other series. This surgical treatment with the less extensive approach could result in long-term survival of patients with RCC in whom tumor thrombus extends into the IVC. We recommend that radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy, with or without caval resection, be performed in these patients, with less invasive additional maneuvers.     

经皮球囊导管阻断技术在下腔静脉瘤栓切除术中的应用

目的 探讨经皮球囊导管阻断技术在下腔静脉瘤栓切除术中的应用价值. 方法 经CT、MRI及彩色多普勒超声等检查确诊为肾或肾上腺肿瘤合并肝后型或肝下型下腔静脉瘤栓患者12例.男7例,女5例.年龄20～76岁,平均51岁.右侧肿瘤11例,左侧1例.肾肿瘤11例,肾上腺肿瘤1例.12例均于术前经皮穿刺右侧颈内静脉,于瘤栓近心端下腔静脉内预置一球囊导管,术中经导管充盈球囊阻断下腔静脉后,再行下腔静脉瘤栓切除术. 结果 12例肿瘤合并下腔静脉瘤栓的根治性切除术全部完成.手术时间210～670 min,平均324 min.术中出血量600～7960 ml,平均2563 ml.无手术或围手术期死亡.术后患者恢复良好,肝肾功能正常,无并发症发生.术后平均12(9～15)d出院.术后病理报告:肾细胞癌9例,转移性肝细胞癌1例,良性血管平滑肌脂肪瘤1例,肾上腺平滑肌肉瘤1例.肾癌术后TNM分期:T3b N0M08例,T3bNxM11例.术后平均随访(21±10)个月,中位随访时间24个月.4例分别于术后6、9、15、22个月死于肺转移、肝转移及肝癌复发,其余8例术后已存活6～35个月,平均26个月.9例肾癌患者术后1、3年肿瘤特异生存率分别为78%和67%. 结论 经皮球囊导管阻断技术在低位肝后型或肝下型下腔静脉瘤栓的根治性切除术中是一种安全、简便、有效的方法,具有重要的临床应用价值.     

Balloon control of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava: a novel technique for renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombus

Renal cell carcinoma has a tendency to extend via the renal vein into the inferior vena cava (IVC), and we describe a novel approach to this situation. A 64-year-old male presented with metastatic right renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus extending into the retrohepatic IVC. Preoperative imaging revealed a large hemangioma adjacent to the IVC, potentially complicating hepatic mobilization. Instead, we used a compliant balloon to occlude the suprahepatic IVC, securing the wire in the right hepatic vein. With the infrarenal IVC and left renal vein occluded, the thrombus was extracted via a right renal venotomy/partial cavotomy with minimal bleeding. Balloon occlusion of the suprahepatic IVC offers a safe alternative to surgical control of this vessel in difficult situations. In addition, it allows for nephrectomy through a conventional, small retroperitoneal incision rather than the extended exposure needed for the IVC. Hepatic vein positioning of the wire prevents thrombus manipulation during balloon placement.     

Adrenocortical carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava in a patient with right kidney agenesis: Surgical approach and review of literature

INTRODUCTIONAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a poor prognosis and the association with tumor thrombus into the inferior vena cava (IVC) is not common. The best treatment is represented by radical surgery.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe describe a case of a large ACC of the left adrenal gland extending into the IVC through the left renal vein in a young patient with agenesis of the right kidney and signs of acute renal failure. A midline laparotomy was performed, subsequently extended by a left thoracophrenotomy through the 7th intercostal space in order to control the proximal surface of the mass and the thoracic aorta. The tumor was completely excised preserving the kidney, and thrombectomy was performed by a cavotomy with a temporary caval clamping, without cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB).DISCUSSIONWe discuss surgical approaches reported in literature in case of ACC with intracaval extension. The tumor must be completely resected and the thrombectomy can be performed by different approaches: cavotomy with direct suture, partial resection of caval wall without reconstruction, resection of vena cava with graft reconstruction. These procedures could require a CPB, with an increased mortality. In our case we preserved the kidney and a thrombectomy without CPB was performed.CONCLUSIONIntracaval extension of ACC does not represent a contraindication to surgery. The best treatment of intracaval thrombus should be the cavotomy with direct suture. The CPB is not always required. In presence of renal agenesis, the preservation of the kidney is mandatory.     

Renal cell carcinoma with an infrarenal vena caval tumor thrombus

Extension of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) along venous drainage pathways is a well-recognized entity. All previously reported cases of inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement by RCC have been with tumor thrombus in the suprarenal IVC. We report a 45-year-old man who had RCC arising from the lower pole of the right kidney with a tumor thrombus totally occluding the infrarenal IVC. The patient underwent radical nephrectomy with successful ligation and resection of the infrarenal IVC.     

Tumor Thrombectomy Without Bypass for Low-Grade Malignant Tumors Extending into the Inferior Vena Cava: Report of Two Cases

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) rarely extends into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Two cases of ESS extending into the IVC were encountered. In the first case a low-grade sarcoma and cavography revealed the tumor thrombus to extend to just below the left renal vein from the right internal iliac vein, and the IVC was patent. A tumor thrombectomy was accomplished to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) and to achieve a good prognosis. The second case was also a low-grade sarcoma. Abdominal computed tomography scanning revealed a large thrombus extending into the IVC just below the hepatic vein. A tumor thrombectomy with an IVC resection was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful for both cases. Aggressive surgical treatment is thus recommended to excise a tumor thrombus with or without an IVC resection in patients with ESS of low-grade malignancy extending into the IVC to prevent sudden death due to PE.     

Vaginal mass with urinary incontinence: a rare presentation

To our knowledge, there are only few published cases of benign renal AML presenting with tumor thrombus in females. We present a new case of this uncommon complication of a benign renal tumor.Epithelioid angiomyolipoma is a recently described rare variant of renal angiomyolipoma.It can occur in patients with or without tuberous sclerosis, and may potentially bemalignant. Benign renal angiomyolipoma (AML) rarely presents with evidence of extension into the renal vein, inferior vena cava (IVC) or atrium. We report a case of a benign renal AML with a tumor thrombus extending into the IVC in a 46-year-old female who presented with right-sided flank pain associated with a right sided abdominal mass. Right Radical nephrectomy with IVC tumor thrombectomy was done. Patient is totally asymptomatic. At 1 month after surgery, an abdominal ultrasound showed no evidence of thrombus within the IVC. CT scan of the abdomen at 3 months post-operatively showed no evidence of recurrence. Surgical treatment of angiomyolipoma with IVC thrombus is warranted in view of risk of malignancy and to prevent tumor embolus to the heart or lungs.     

Successful management of a patient who developed intra-operative pulmonary tumor embolism]

A 68-year-old female with retroperitoneal tumor extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) developed massive pulmonary tumor embolism during removal of the tumor. Because of her unstable hemodynamics, emergency pulmonary embolectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass was performed. Successful management of her intra- and post-operative persistent right heart failure led to a satisfactory postoperative course without serious neurological complications. In peri-operative management of a patient with an extended tumor into IVC, prevention of the embolism, detection of the pulmonary embolism and treatment of intra- and post-operative right heart failure are important.     

The initial division of left renal vein in left renal cancer with intracaval tumor thrombus: a case report

A 30-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with a 3-month history of general fatigue and one month history of left flank mass. Computed tomography revealed a huge left renal tumor (20 × 13 × 10 cm) with intracaval tumor thrombus. The tumor thrombus extended into the right atrium. The left renal vein (lt-RV) was expanded 3.5 cm in diameter by the tumor thrombus. The tumor was surrounded by a tortuous dilated capsular vein. The strategic issue was how to ligate the left renal artery (lt-RA) behind the expanded lt-RV. We first divided the lt-RV occluded by the tumor thrombus using a Linear Cutter? and then divided the lt-RA before the dissection of the tumor to avoid excessive bleeding. Even transarterial embolization of lt-RA were to be performed,the tumor was too large to dissect without division of lt-RV and lt RA. After the left kidney was removed,the lower half of the tumor thrombus was excised,clamping the inferior vena cava,three right renal arteries,two right renal veins,and the lumber vein. Finally,we removed the upper half of the tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium through atriotomy and cavotomy under an extracorporeal cardiovascular bypass. Operation time was 9 h 22 m,and total blood loss was 1670 ml. Convalescence was uneventful except for abdominal lymphocele.     

Techniques for Avoidance of Sternotomy and Cardiopulmonary Bypass During Resection of Extensive Renal Cell Carcinoma with Vena Caval Tumor Thrombus Extension Above the Diaphragm

Abstract   Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a commonly encountered malignancy in urology. Extensive RCC may frequently invade the renal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC). In advanced cases, this tumor thrombus may grow cephalad up to the level of the right atrium. The mainstay of surgical treatment for such lesions remains resection of all possible tumor burden. Current techniques for resection of supradiaphragmatic RCC tumor thrombus in the IVC incorporate cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, especially in cases where the thrombus reaches the right atrium. We report a safe technique using a transabdominal approach to such lesions that allows exposure to the level of the intrapericardial IVC and right atrium permitting safe resection of the tumor thrombus without median sternotomy, CBP, or deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.     

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the renal and inferior vena cava: the University of Miami experience in using liver transplantation techniques

OBJECTIVES: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) poses a challenge to the surgeon due to the potential for massive hemorrhage and tumor thromboemboli. We developed a technique for safe resection of these tumors through a transabdominal approach, without recourse to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1997 to February 2005, 66 patients underwent resection of a RCC with tumor thrombus in the IVC. The extent of the tumor thrombus was renal in 13, infrahepatic in 7; retrohepatic in 38; and intra-atrial in 8 patients. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 6.16+/-0.32 hours. The estimated blood loss ranged from 200 cc to 16,000 cc, with a mean of transfusions being 3.56+/-0.94 U. CBP was required in only 3 patients. Three patients (4.5%) died in the immediate postoperative period. Median follow-up among the 56 survivors was 7.1 months. Six patients died due to metastasis and 1 died of a cause unrelated to the cancer. The estimated actuarial survival at 36 months was 66%. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive surgical approach is the only hope for curing patients having RCC with a tumor thrombus in the IVC. The extent of dissection is predicated on the extent and level of tumor thrombus. Our surgical approach uses liver transplant techniques to mobilize the liver off the IVC and to separate the IVC from the posterior abdominal wall. This maneuver provides excellent exposure and enables safe vascular control of the IVC.     

Extended radical nephrectomy in renal carcinoma involving the inferior vena cava: a case report

A case of successful removal of right renal cell carcinoma extending into inferior vena cava in a 62-year-old man was reported. The tumor thrombus reached the level of the liver and almost completely obliterated both caval and contralateral renal veins. With cooperation of cardiovascular and hepatic surgeons, the operation was performed under thoracoabdominal exposure. Extensive mobilization of the liver enabled us to regulate vena caval and hepatic blood circulation. The tumor thrombus, though partly adhesive to the caval vein, could be completely removed safely through a long cavotomy incision. To cope with the recent advance in more aggressive cancer surgery, it seems mandatory for urologists to acquire a broad knowledge of thoracic, cardiovascular and hepatic surgery as well.     

Positron emission tomography enhancing tumor thrombus in patient with renal cell carcinoma

A 65-year-old man underwent computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen during evaluation for anemia which showed a 10 cm right renal mass and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus. Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT revealed uptake of flurorodeoxyglucose (FDG) within only the tumor mass and thrombus. Right radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy with IVC patch graft reconstruction were performed. Final pathology showed pT3bNxMx renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with IVC thrombus composed of poorly differentiated RCC. There is no evidence of recurrence at one year follow-up. We discuss the role of PET in RCC.     

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND: The successful excision of a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) invading the inferior vena cava (IVC) remains a technical intraoperative challenge and requires a careful preoperative surgical management planning. Although a radical operation remains the mainstay of the therapy for RCC, the optimal management of the patients with RCC causing IVC tumor thrombus remains unresolved. In this study, we reviewed our experience in this group of patients and herein report the results. METHODS: Between July 1990 and August 1998, 11 patients with RCC with IVC tumor thrombus underwent surgical treatment. The mean patient age was 54.2 years and the male to female ratio was 1.75. The cephalad extension of the tumor was suprarenal in all cases, being infrahepatic in 6 patients, intrahepatic in 2, and suprahepatic with right atrial extension in 3 patients. All tumors were resected via inferior vena cava isolation and, when necessary, extended hepatic mobilization and Pringle maneuver, with primary or patch closure of vena cavotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) were used in 3 patients. RESULTS: The mortality rate was 9.1% (1 patient was lost on the 11th postoperative day). Complications occurred in 3 patients. The remaining 10 patients (90.9%) could be successfully discharged from hospital. Two of them were lost during follow-up because of tumor progression at the 43rd and 54th postoperative months. The 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimate was 71.4%, with a mean follow-up of 4.6 years. The presence of lymph node metastases and perinephric spread seemed to possess an adverse effect on the survival. Although the groups included small numbers of patients, there was no significant difference in survival in regard to the different levels of tumor thrombus extension into the vena cava. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment is the preferred approach to patients with RCC and IVC tumor thrombi as it provides markedly better results when compared with the other therapeutical modalities. We believe that complete surgical excision of the tumor and the resulting thrombus with appropriate preoperative staging and a well-planned surgical approach, using CPB and DHCA when necessary, provide an acceptable long-term survival with a good quality of life expectation.     

Successful resection of a retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma with caval tumor thrombus

We report herein the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with a huge, fast-growing abdominal tumor. Renal angiograms revealed a hypervascular tumor stain from the renal capsular arteries, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a caval tumor thrombus. The tumor was resected en bloc with the tumor thrombus, the right kidney, and part of the liver. The histological diagnosis confirmed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) both in the tumor and the caval tumor thrombus. This is the first report of the successful resection of a MFH originating in the renal capsular tissue and extending into the inferior vena cava.     

Solitary floating vena caval thrombus as a late recurrence of renal cell carcinoma

We report an unusual case of solitary thrombus floating in the inferior vena cava (IVC) in a patient who underwent radical nephrectomy for a renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of the right kidney extended into the renal vein with no capsular and perinephric tissue invasion (pT3b). Twenty months after surgery, a routine computed tomography scan identified an intraluminal mass floating in the IVC. Cavotomy and thrombectomy with no caval resection were successfully performed. A review of the literature showed only three previous published cases of RCC recurring in the IVC only, with no local recurrence or distant metastases. We outline the possible etiology of these unusual and solitary recurrences in the IVC and we emphasize the need for a strict surveillance for all patients with RCC and especially for those with pT1b, pT2 and pT3 disease. An early diagnosis of this rare recurrence can permit an easy removal of the thrombus with no caval resection and graft replacement, making this disease potentially curable by surgery.     

Thrombectomy before hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava

Tumor thrombi of hepatocellular carcinoma occasionally invade into the inferior vena cava (IVC) through the hepatic vein. Once the tumor thrombus is dislodged, severe and lethal complications, such as pulmonary infarction, can develop. We successfully operated on a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient with a tumor thrombus extending to the IVC through the right hepatic vein. To avoid dislodging the thrombus during surgery, a thrombectomy using selective hepatic vascular exclusion was performed before a hepatic resection, which is the most dangerous procedure to dislodge the thrombus.     

Surgical treatment of renal cell carcinoma with right atrial thrombus: early experience and description of a simplified technique

Operative management of patients presenting renal cell carcinoma's (RCC) with right atrial tumor thrombus extension is a technical challenge. It requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to report our early experience and to describe a simplified CPB technique. 5 consecutive patients underwent surgical resection by a joint cardiovascular and urological team. The ascending aorta was canulated. The venous drainage was achieved using a proximal canula inserted in the superior vena cava and a distal canula inserted in the IVC below the renal veins. Right atrium thrombus extension was extracted under normothermic CPB without cross clamping or cardioplegic arrest. A cavotomy was performed at the ostium of the renal vein and an endoluminal occlusion catheter was introduced. The thrombectomy and the radical nephrectomy were then performed. The occurrence of gaseous or tumor embolism, operative time, perioperative bleeding, and post-operative complications were assessed. Mean patients age was 62.9 years. Atrial and caval thrombectomy were achieved successfully in all patients. Mean operative time was 206 min. Mean CPB time was 62 min. Mean hospital stay was 18.8 days. One death occurred, due to respiratory failure. An asymptomatic early thrombosis of the IVC was diagnosed by CT scan in 1 patient. The four remaining patients were alive 6 months after the surgical procedure. Minimally invasive CPB technique can be used to treat intra atrial thrombus tumor extension arising from renal cell carcinoma. It can be performed safely with acceptable complications rate.     

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava mimicking a liver tumor

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare sarcoma, but it is the most common primary malignancy of the IVC. It has an extremely poor prognosis. We describe a 60-year-old white female complaining of abdominal fullness for 7 weeks before she sought medical assistance. Initial work-up including sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance showed a tumor in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity originating from the liver with compression of the IVC and displacement of the right kidney. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor with clear margins and reconstruction of the IVC using a Dacron tubular graft. Postoperatively, she was placed on Coumadin and adjuvant chemotherapy was started. Subsequently, the patient developed metastasis into the liver and peripancreatic nodes during the follow-up period. Considering the aggressiveness of this tumor, early radical en block resection with clear margins is still the only chance for long-term survival.     

肾癌并静脉癌栓的影像学诊断与手术方法选择

目的：探讨肾癌并静脉癌栓的影像学诊断与治疗及方法的选择。方法：回顾性分析我科收治的肾癌伴静脉癌栓患者21例的临床资料。结果：MRI精确地诊断出癌栓的范围；20例肾癌根治性切除加癌栓取出术的患者取得了满意的效果。结论：MRI可替代创伤性大、不良反应多的下腔静脉造影，用于确诊肾癌并静脉癌栓；应依据癌栓的类型选择手术方法。