The Influence of Perinephric Fat Involvement on Survival in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Extending into the Inferior Vena Cava

Abstract

Records of patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava were reviewed. Patients with nodal metastases or distal spread were excluded, leaving 19 cases available for analysis. The overall 3 and 5 yr survival rates were 56 and 38%, respectively, but a striking difference in survival was observed when those patients with perinephric fat involvement ([tumor stage] T3ac) were separated from those whose tumors had not penetrated through the renal capsule (T3c). The 3 and 5 yr survival rates for patients with T3ac tumors were 14 and 0%, compared to 82 and 67% for patients with T3c tumors. Patients with T3ac tumors had metastases earlier (mean 13 mo.) than patients with T3c tumors (mean 22 mo.). The overall mean survival duration was 50 mo. The mean survival duration of patients with T3ac tumors was 17 mo., compared to 75 mo. for patients with T3c tumors.