Surgical enucleation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Prognostic significance of tumour stage, grade and DNA ploidy.

This study reviews a total of 26 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who underwent enucleation of the tumour with functionally and anatomically normal controlateral kidney and no evidence of systemic renal disease. At follow-up, after a mean of 62 months the disease specific survival rate for this series was 88.5%. Survival rates according to the pathologic stage, grading, tumour diameter and ploidy are reported. Local recurrences were documented in 4 of the 26 RCC. All 4 RCC were more than 5 cm in diameter and recurred in the remaining parenchyma. After local recurrence, three tumours with aneuploid DNA content underwent radical nephrectomy, whereas 1 with diploid DNA content was submitted to a new enucleation of the recurrence. To date the diploid case is still alive 3 years after the original resection of the primary tumour whereas the other 3 patients died for metastatic disease. In our experience the ideal candidate for renal sparing surgery in the presence of a normal opposite kidney is an asymptomatic patient that incidentally is brought to our attention with a small size (less than 5 cm in diameter), low stage (T1-T2) tumour, well surrounded by a pseudocapsule. DNA content is a valuable prognostic factor in patients submitted to conservative surgery. Diploid tumours have been seen to have a better prognosis and in case of local recurrence they may be reconsidered for a new enucleation of the recurrence.