Treatment of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava

Abstract

Objective To discuss the treatment of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Methods From Jan 1984 to Apr 2008,29 cases of renal or adrenal malignancy with thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava underwent treatment.The diagnoses were confirmed by Doppler uhrasonography,CT and MRI.In the 29 surgical patiens the tumor thrombus was level I in 7,level Ⅱ in 10,level Ⅲ in 8 and levelⅣin 4.According to TNM classification,23 cases were classified to T2N.M.,1 case was T2Nl Mo,1 case was TzNlMl,1 case was T3NoMo,2 case were T3NlMl and 1 case was T3N2Mo.The mean tumor size was 8.7(4.O-16.O)cm in diameter.The mean tumor thrombosis length was 3.2(2.5-4.0)cm in level I,5.3(4.5-6.0)cm in level Ⅱ,8.2(6.5-9.O)cm in levelⅢand 15.1(12.0-18.5)cm in level IV. Results The operation was performed succesgfullv in 29 patients Patholocieal examination showed that 18 cases of clear cellcarcinoma,3 cases sarcomatoid carcinoma,2 cases renal papillary adenocarcinoma,1 case renal cell carcinoma (undifferentiated),1 case granule carcinoma,3 cases adrenocortical carcinoma and 1 case metastatic malignant melanoma of adrenal gland.Of 29 patients,3 were out of contact.Twenty-six patients were followed up for 35(0-62)months after treatment,3-and 5-year survival rates were 15/26 and 11/26.Three-year survival rates for stage T2 and T3 were 14/22 and 1/4.Five-year survival rates for stage T2 and T3 were 10/22 and 1/4.Three-year survival rates for level I、Ⅱ、Ⅲ andⅣ were 4/6,5/8,5/8 and 1/4.Five-year survival rates for level I,Ⅱ、Ⅲ andⅣ were 3/6,4/8,3/8 and 1/4.Three-year survival rates for a tumor thrombus in the below or above diaphragm were 14/22 versus 1/4,5-year survival rates were 10/22 versus 1/4.Three-year and 5-year survival rates for the patients without distant metastases and lymph node involvement were 12/18 and 9/18.Three-year and 5-year surviral rates for the patients with distant metastases and lymph node involvement were 3/8 and 2/8.The 3 surgical patients with metastatic disease died at 6,10,22 months. Conclusions Surgical treatment could be the preferred approach for the patients of renal or adrenal tumor with cancer thrombus in the inferior vena cava without distant metastases and lymph node involvement.It could improve the quality of life and may prolong survival. Key words: Kidney neoplasms; Adrenal neoplasms; Carcinoma; Neoplasms circulating cells