Renal cell cancer in the solitary or sole-functioning kidney

This paper is a clinical review of 45 patients seen with renal cell cancer in solitary or sole-functioning kidneys. Of these, five have been managed at the authors' institution. Relatively long time intervals have been noted between the diagnosis of the first cancer and the development of the second tumor. It is to be noted that the reason for removal of the opposite kidney was usually renal cell cancer. The possibility of metastasis rather than true primary is emphasized. The natural history of the disease is discussed, especially as it relates to a decision for therapy. Partial nephrectomy has been valuable in the management of the authors' and other cases. All survivals in the literature have had partial nephrectomy as a part of their therapy.