Comparison of Clinical and Pathological Characteristics in Incidentally Detected and Suspected Renal Carcinoma

In a study of the clinical and pathological characteristics of incidentally detected and suspected renal carcinoma, we reviewed the manner of presentation, serum immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP), tumour stage and size in 112 consecutive patients with renal carcinoma who were diagnosed clinically and surgically between 1980 and 1989. The results showed an increase in the proportion of incidentally diagnosed cases. The routine use of radiological imaging, especially ultrasound and computed tomography (CT), has led to tumours being diagnosed earlier than when IAP is used as a tumour marker in patients with incidentally detected renal carcinoma. Tumours were lower stage and smaller in patients with incidentally detected renal carcinoma than in patients in whom the diagnosis was suspected.