[Renal cancer--a retrospective study of 368 patients]

Abstract

Background: We wanted to evaluate our treatment results for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Material and methods: A retrospective study of 368 patients operated with nephrectomy between 1978 and 2000 was carried out.

Results: 29% of the renal cell carcinomas were diagnosed incidentally and we observed a significant increase in this respect between the first and second half of the study. 18% had postoperative complications and 3% had major complications needing reoperation. 2% of the nephrectomies on the left side were complicated with splenectomy. 11 patients (3%) died within 30 days, most of the deaths occurring in the early part of the study period. Five-year cancer-specific survival rates were: 92% for stage 1; 83% for stage 2; 67% for stage 3; and 16% for stage 4. No differences were encountered between transabdominal and retroperitoneal surgical approaches in terms of cancer-specific survival.

Interpretation: Increasing numbers of incidentally detected tumours have been observed. Our survival, complication and mortality rates are comparable to those in other reports.