AUA and NCCN surveillance guidelines for RCC: Do they effectively capture recurrences following nephrectomy?

Abstract

402 Background: The American Urological Association (AUA) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) are highly utilized sources for surveillance strategies following surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the duration of follow-up may be inadequate to capture the majority of recurrences. Herein, we assess the ability of these guidelines to effectively capture recurrences of RCC following primary surgical resection. Methods: We reviewed our institutional database of 3,725 patients treated with radical or partial nephrectomy for M0 sporadic RCC between 1970-2008. For comparison to the AUA guidelines, patients were stratified into low risk following partial nephrectomy (LRp) or radical nephrectomy (LRr) = pT1N0, and moderate/high risk (M/HR) = pT2-4 N0-1. Guideline effectiveness was assessed by calculating the percentage of recurrences detected within the prescribed follow-up periods given for site-specific recurrence: AUA—LRp: 3yrs for all sites; LRr: 1yr for abdominal and 3yrs for chest/bone/other sites; M/HR: 5yrs for all sites; NCCN—6 months for abdominal/chest sites and 5yrs for bone/other sites. Results: Of the 3,725 patients, 2721 (73.1%) underwent radical nephrectomy, 2,210 (59.3%) were classified as pT1 NX-0 and 2,910 (78.1%) as clear cell RCC. Median postoperative follow-up was 8.9yrs (IQR 5.5-14.2) during which 1,114 (29.9%) patients developed recurrence. Of these recurrences, 760 (68.2%) would have been detected using the AUA guidelines and 432 (38.8%) by NCCN recommendations. Within AUA risk groups, 37.2% recurrences were captured in LRp, 31.4% in LRr and 80.2% in M/HR. Capture of 90% of recurrences in the abdomen and chest would require surveillance for 9yrs and 8 yrs, respectively in LRp, 15yrs and 12yrs in LRr and 11yrs and 10yrs in M/HR. Conclusions: Duration of follow-up recommended by current surveillance algorithms by the AUA and NCCN do not adequately capture many recurrences in RCC following radical or partial nephrectomy. Guidelines using risk stratification and site-specific recurrence parameters to assign length of surveillance may allow providers to better individualize surveillance regimens.