Renal Cell Carcinoma Extending into Inferior Vena Cava

Abstract

Of 18 patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava 16 underwent radical nephrectomy with either venacavotomy and tumor thrombectomy or vena caval resection. Of 8 patients with no evidence of metastasis at the time of surgery 4 (50%) are free of cancer for a mean duration of 93 mo. Of 8 patients with known preoperative metastasis 7 died with cancer after a mean survival of 12 mo. Operative mortality was 6.2% and morbidity was minimal.