Radical Nephrectomy Is Associated With Increased Mortality In Patients With Small Renal Tumors

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 25 Jun 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - Numerous studies have demonstrated the underutilization of nephron sparing surgery in the setting of small renal masses. Previous studies have demonstrated that radical nephrectomy for small renal tumors is associated with an increased incidence of renal insufficiency. At the annual meeting of the AUA, the group from Memorial Sloan Kettering examined mortality and incidence of cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing surgery for small renal masses (pT1a), examining differences in those undergoing radical nephrectomy versus nephron sparing approaches. Using the SEER database, the authors found that there was a significant survival benefit in patients that underwent nephron sparing surgery for T1a tumors as compared to those undergoing radical nephrectomy. The 5 year OS for partial nephrectomy was 75% versus 68% in the radical nephrectomy group (p<0.001). There was also a trend towards more cardiovascular complications in the radical nephrectomy group. The authors conclude that nephron sparing should be offered whenever possible to T1a tumors to avoid the increased morbidity and mortality associated with radical nephrectomy seen with long term followup.

Huang WC et al, New York NY
Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS

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