Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval extention: impact of tumour extent on surgical outcome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate our experience with surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement and examine the relationship between prognosis and tumour extent. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of nephrectomy performed between 1985 and 2005 identified 50 patients presenting with tumour thrombus extension into the IVC. Clinical characteristics and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS Of the 50 patients evaluated, 7, 26, 10 and 7 presented with level I, II, III and IV thrombus, respectively. Major postoperative complications occurred in 16% of patients. Local or distant failure occurred in 25 (64%) patients. The mean time to recurrence was 10 months. Only supra‐diaphragmatic extension of the tumour thrombus was predictive of disease recurrence. CONCLUSION Locally advanced RCC with IVC thrombus remains associated with significant local and distant failure rate. The level of thrombus extension is significantly associated with disease recurrence. Effective adjuvant therapy is needed to improve outcome in this patient population.