Provides up to date information with based evidence mangment fo diagnosing and mangment of renal tumours

EAU GUIDELINES ON RENAL CELL

 

CARCINOMA

 

Epidemiology

The use of imaging techniques such as ultrasound (US) and computerised tomography (CT) has increased the detection of asymptomatic renal cell cancer (RCC). The peak incidence of RCC occurs between 60 and 70 years of age, with a 3 : 2 ratio of men to women. Aetiological factors include lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity and hypertension. Having a first-degree relative with RCC is associated with a significantly increased risk of RCC.

Staging system

The current UICC 2017 TNM (Tumour Node Metastasis) classification is recommended for the staging of RCC (Table 1).

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  79

 

Table 1: The 2017 TNM staging classification system

 

T - Primary Tumour

 

TX     Primary tumour cannot be assessed

 

T0     No evidence of primary tumour

 

T1     Tumour ≤ 7 cm or less in greatest dimension, limited to the kidney

T1a

Tumour ≤ 4 cm or less

T1b

Tumour > 4 cm but ≤ 7 cm

 

T2     Tumour > 7 cm in greatest dimension, limited to the kidney

T2a

Tumour > 7 cm but ≤ 10 cm

T2b

Tumours > 10 cm, limited to the kidney

 

T3     Tumour extends into major veins or perinephric tissues but not into the ipsilateral adrenal gland and not beyond Gerota fascia

 

T3a

Tumour grossly extends into the renal vein or

 

its segmental (muscle-containing) branches, or

 

tumour invades perirenal and/or renal sinus fat

 

(peripelvic), but not beyond Gerota fascia

T3b

Tumour grossly extends into the vena cava below

 

diaphragm

T3c

Tumour grossly extends into vena cava above the

 

diaphragm or invades the wall of the vena cava

 

T4      Tumour invades beyond Gerota fascia (including contiguous extension into the ipsilateral adrenal gland)

N - Regional Lymph Nodes

NX   Regional lymph nodes cannot be assessed

N0     No regional lymph node metastasis

N1     Metastasis in regional lymph node(s)

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M - Distant Metastasis

 

M0

No distant metastasis

 

M1

Distant metastasis

 

 

TNM stage grouping

 

 

Stage I

T1

N0

M0

Stage II

T2

N0

M0

Stage III

T3

N0

M0

 

 

T1, T2, T3

N1

M0

Stage IV

T4

Any N

M0

 

 

Any T

Any N

M1

 

Clinical Diagnosis

Many renal masses remain asymptomatic until late disease stages. The classic triad of flank pain, visible haematuria, and palpable abdominal mass is rare and correlates with aggressive histology and advanced disease.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are found in approximately 30% of patients with symptomatic RCCs. A few symptomatic patients present with symptoms caused by metastatic disease, such as bone pain or persistent cough.

 

Imaging

Computed tomography imaging, before and after intravenous contrast, can verify the diagnosis and provide information on the function and morphology of the contralateral kidney and assess tumour extension, including extra-renal spread, venous involvement, and enlargement of lymph nodes (LNs) and adrenals.

 

Abdominal US and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are supplements to CT. Contrast-enhanced US can be helpful in specific cases (e.g., chronic renal failure with a relative contraindication for iodinated or gadolinium-based

Renal Cell Carcinoma  81

contrast media, complex cystic masses, and differential diagnosis of peripheral vascular disorders such as infarction and cortical necrosis).

Magnetic resonance imaging can be used in patients with possible venous involvement, or allergy to intravenous contrast. Chest CT is the most accurate for chest staging and is recommended in the primary work–up of patients with suspected RCC.

In patients with hereditary RCC who are worried about the radiation exposure of frequent CT scans, MRI may be offered as alternative for follow-up imaging.

Biopsy

Percutaneous renal tumour biopsies are used:

  • to obtain histology of radiologically indeterminate renal masses;
  • to select patients with small renal masses for active surveillance;
  • to obtain histology before, or simultaneously with, ablative treatments;
  • to select the most suitable form of medical and surgical strategy in the setting of metastatic disease.

In patients with any sign of impaired renal function, a renal scan and total renal function evaluation using estimated glomerular filtration rate should always be undertaken to optimise the treatment decision.

Renal biopsy is not indicated for comorbid and frail patients who can be considered only for conservative management (watchful waiting) regardless of biopsy results.

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Recommendations for the diagnostic

Strength rating

assessment of renal cell cancer

 

Use multi-phasic contrast-enhanced

Strong

computed tomography (CT) of abdomen

 

and chest for the diagnosis and staging of

 

renal tumours.

 

Use magnetic resonance imaging to better

Weak

evaluate venous involvement, reduce

 

radiation or avoid intravenous CT contrast.

 

Use non-ionising modalities, mainly

Weak

contrast enhanced ultrasound, for further

 

characterisation of small renal masses,

 

tumour thrombus and differentiation of

 

unclear renal masses.

 

Do not routinely use bone scan and/or

Weak

positron-emission tomography (PET) CT

 

for staging of RCC.

 

Perform a renal tumour biopsy before

Strong

ablative therapy and systemic therapy

 

without previous pathology.

 

Perform a percutaneous biopsy in select

Weak

patients who are considered for active

 

surveillance.

 

Use a coaxial technique when performing

Strong

a renal tumour biopsy.

 

Do not perform a renal tumour biopsy of

Strong

cystic renal masses.

 

Use a core biopsy technique rather than

Strong

fine needle aspiration for histological

 

characterisation for solid renal tumours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  83

Histological diagnosis

A variety of renal tumours exist, and about 15% are benign. All kidney lesions require examination for malignant behaviour.

Histopathological classification

The new WHO/ISUP classification will replace the Fuhrman nuclear grade system in due time but will need validation.

The three most common RCC subtypes, with genetic and histological differences, are: clear cell RCC (80-90%), papillary RCC (10-15%), and chromophobe RCC (4-5%). The various RCC types have different clinical courses and responses to therapy.

Prognostic factors

In all RCC types, prognosis worsens with stage and histopathological grade. Histological factors include tumour grade, RCC subtype, sarcomatoid features, microvascular invasion, tumour necrosis, and invasion of the perirenal fat and collecting system. Clinical factors include performance status (PS), local symptoms, cachexia, anaemia, platelet count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein and albumin.

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Use the current Tumour, Node, Metastasis

Strong

classification system.

 

Use grading systems and classify RCC

Strong

subtype.

 

Use prognostic systems in the metastatic

Strong

setting.

 

In localised disease, use integrated

Strong

prognostic systems or nomograms to

 

assess risk of recurrence.

 

 

 

 

 

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Disease Management

 

Treatment of localised RCC

 

Localised renal cancers are best managed with partial nephrectomy (PN) rather than radical nephrectomy (RN), irrespective of the surgical approach. Partial nephrectomy is unsuitable in some patients with localised RCC due to:

  • locally advanced tumour growth;

 

  • unfavourable tumour location;

 

  • significant health deterioration.

 

If pre-operative imaging and intra-operative findings are normal, routine adrenalectomy is not indicated. Lymphadenectomy should be restricted to staging because the survival benefit of extended LN dissection is unclear in patients with localised disease. In patients who have RCCs with tumour thrombus and no metastatic spread, prognosis is improved after nephrectomy and complete thrombectomy.

 

Nephron-sparing surgery versus radical nephrectomy Based on current available oncological and quality of life outcomes, localised renal cancers are best managed by nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) rather than RN, irrespective of the surgical approach. Before routine nephrectomy, tumour embolisation has no benefit. In patients unfit for surgery with massive haematuria or flank pain, embolisation can be a beneficial palliative approach.

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Offer surgery to achieve cure in localised

Strong

RCC.

 

Offer partial nephrectomy to patients with

Strong

T1 tumours.

 

 

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  85

 

Do not perform ipsilateral adrenalectomy if

 

Strong

 

there is no clinical evidence of invasion of

 

 

 

the adrenal gland.

 

 

 

Consider an extended lymph node

 

Weak

 

dissection in patients with adverse clinical

 

 

 

features including a large diameter of the

 

 

 

primary tumour.

 

 

 

Offer embolisation in patients unfit for

 

Weak

 

surgery presenting with massive

 

 

 

haematuria or flank pain.

 

 

 

Radical- and partial nephrectomy techniques

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of evidence

 

LE

Laparoscopic RN has lower morbidity than open

1b

surgery.

 

 

Oncological outcomes for T1-T2a tumours are

2a

equivalent between laparoscopic and open RN.

 

Partial nephrectomy can be performed, either with an

2b

open, pure laparoscopic- or robot-assisted approach,

 

based on surgeon’s expertise and skills.

 

 

Partial nephrectomy is associated with a higher

3

percentage of positive surgical margins compared

 

with RN.

 

 

 

 

Recommendations

 

Strength rating

Offer laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RN)

 

Strong

 

to patients with T2 tumours and localised

 

 

 

masses not treatable by partial

 

 

 

nephrectomy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Do not perform minimally invasive RN in

Strong

patients with T1 tumours for whom a partial

 

nephrectomy is feasible by any approach,

 

including open.

 

Do not perform minimally invasive surgery

Strong

if this approach may compromise

 

oncological, functional and perioperative

 

outcomes.

 

 

Alternatives to surgery

 

Surveillance

 

Elderly and comorbid patients with incidental small renal masses have a low RCC-specific mortality and significant competing-cause mortality. In selected patients with advanced age and/or comorbidities, active surveillance (AS) is appropriate to initially monitor small renal masses, followed, if required, by treatment for progression. The concept of AS differs from the concept of watchful waiting. Watchful waiting is reserved for patients whose comorbidities contraindicate any subsequent active treatment and who do not require follow-up imaging, unless clinically indicated.

 

Cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation

 

Currently there are no data showing oncological benefit of cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) techniques over PN.

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Offer active surveillance, radiofrequency

Weak

ablation and cryoablation to elderly and/or

 

comorbid patients with small renal masses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  87

 

Treatment of locally advanced RCC

 

Management of clinically positive lymph nodes (cN+)

 

In the presence of clinically positive LNs (cN+), LND is always justified but the extent of LND is still controversial.

 

Low level data suggest that tumour thrombus in the setting of non-metastatic disease should be excised. Adjunctive procedures such as tumour embolisation or inferior vena cava filter do not appear to offer any benefits in the treatment of tumour thrombus.

 

In patients unfit for surgery, or with non-resectable disease, embolisation can control symptoms, including visible haematuria or flank pain. At present there is no evidence for the use of adjuvant therapy following surgery.

 

Treatment of advanced/metastatic RCC

 

Management of RCC with venous tumour thrombus

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

In patients with clinically enlarged lymph

Weak

nodes, perform lymph node dissection for

 

staging purposes or local control.

 

In case of venous involvement, remove the

Strong

renal tumour and thrombus.

 

 

Cytoreductive nephrectomy

 

Tumour nephrectomy is curative only if all tumour deposits are excised. This includes patients with the primary tumour in place and single- or oligo-metastatic resectable disease. For most patients with metastatic disease, cytoreductive nephrectomy is palliative and systemic treatments are necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

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Summary of evidence

LE

Cytoreductive nephrectomy combined with

1a

interferon-alpha (INF-α) improves survival in patients

 

with metastatic RCC and good performance status.

 

Deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy with presurgical

2b

sunitinib in intermediate-risk patients with clear-cell

 

metastatic RCC leads to a survival benefit in

 

secondary endpoint analysis and selects out patients

 

with inherent resistance to systemic therapy.

 

Cytoreductive nephrectomy for patients with

3

simultaneous complete resection of a single

 

metastasis or oligometastases may improve survival

 

and delay systemic therapy.

 

Patients with IMDC poor risk (≥ four risk factors) do

2b

not benefit.

 

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Offer cytoreductive nephrectomy to

Weak

favourable- and intermediate-risk patients

 

with metastatic RCC (mRCC).

 

Do not offer cytoreductive nephrectomy

Weak

in IMDC poor-risk patients with ≥ four risk

 

factors.

 

Perform immediate cytoreductive

Weak

nephrectomy in patients with

 

oligometastases when complete resection

 

can be achieved.

 

Offer deferred cytoreductive nephrectomy

Weak

to intermediate-risk patients with clear-cell

 

mRCC who require systemic therapy with

 

sunitinib.

 

 

IMDC = The Metastatic Renal Cancer Database Consortium.

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma 89

 

Local therapy of metastases in metastatic RCC (mRCC)

 

A systematic review of the local treatment of metastases from RCC in any organ was undertaken. The heterogeneity of the data will only allow for cautious recommendations.

 

Summary of evidence

LE

All included studies were retrospective

3

non-randomised comparative studies, resulting in a

 

high risk of bias associated with non-randomisation,

 

attrition, and selective reporting.

 

With the exception of brain and possibly bone

3

metastases, metastasectomy remains by default the

 

only local treatment for most sites.

 

Retrospective comparative studies consistently point

3

towards a benefit of complete metastasectomy in

 

mRCC patients in terms of overall survival, cancer-

 

specific survival and delay of systemic therapy.

 

Radiotherapy to bone and brain metastases from RCC

3

can induce significant relief from local symptoms

 

(e.g. pain).

 

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Offer local therapy for metastatic disease

Weak

(including metastasectomy) to patients

 

with a favourable disease profile in whom

 

complete resection is achievable or when

 

local symptoms need to be controlled.

 

Offer stereotactic radiotherapy for clinically

Weak

relevant bone or brain metastases for local

 

control and symptom relief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Systemic therapy for advanced/metastatic RCC Chemotherapy

 

Summary of evidence

LE

In metastatic RCC, 5-fluorouracil combined with

1b

immunotherapy has equivalent efficacy to INF-α.

 

In metastatic RCC, chemotherapy is otherwise not

3

effective with the exception of gemcitabine and

 

doxorubicine in sarcomatoid and rapidly progressive

 

disease.

 

 

Recommendation

Strength rating

Do not offer chemotherapy as first-line

Strong

therapy in patients with clear-cell

 

metastatic RCC.

 

 

Immunotherapy

 

Interferon-α may only be effective in some patient subgroups, including patients with clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), favourable-risk criteria, and lung metastases only. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), vaccines and targeted immunotherapy have no place in the standard treatment of advanced/mRCC.

 

Immune checkpoint inhibition of programmed death receptor (PD-1) and ligand (PD-L1) inhibition have been investigated in mRCC. Randomised data support the use of nivolumab

 

(a PD-1 inhibitor) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-refractory disease. A combination of two immune checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab versus sunitinib in a phase III study on metastatic RCC showed superior survival for a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab in intermediate- and poor-risk patients.

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  91

 

Summary of evidence

LE

Interferon-α monotherapy is inferior to VEGF-targeted

1b

therapy or mTOR inhibition in mRCC.

 

Interleukin (IL)-2 monotherapy may have an effect in

2a

selected cases (good PS, ccRCC, lung metastases only).

 

IL-2 has more side-effects than IFN-α.

2b

High-dose (HD)-IL-2 is associated with durable

1b

complete responses in a limited number of patients.

 

However, no clinical factors or biomarkers exist to

 

accurately predict a durable response in patients

 

treated with HD-IL-2.

 

Bevacizumab plus IFN-α is more effective than IFN-α

1b

in treatment-naïve, low-risk and intermediate-risk

 

ccRCC.

 

Vaccination therapy with tumour antigen 5T4 showed

1b

no survival benefit over first-line standard therapy.

 

Cytokine combinations, with or without additional

1b

chemotherapy, do not improve overall survival (OS)

 

compared with monotherapy.

 

Nivolumab leads to superior OS compared to

1b

everolimus in patients failing one or two lines of

 

VEGF-targeted therapy.

 

The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab in

1b

treatment-naïve patients with clear-cell mRCC of

 

IMDC intermediate-and poor-risk leads to superior

 

survival compared to sunitinib.

 

The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab in the

2b

intention to treat population of treatment-naïve

 

unselected patients with clear-cell mRCC leads to

 

superior survival compared to sunitinib.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Due to the exploratory nature of PD-L1 tumour

2b

expression, the small sample size, the lack of OS data

 

and the premature results in this subpopulation,

 

definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.

 

 

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab was associated with 15%

1b

grade 3-5 toxicity and 1.5% treatment-related deaths.

 

 

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Use ipilimumab plus nivolumab in

Strong

 

treatment-naïve patients with clear-cell

 

 

mRCC of IMDC intermediate and poor risk.

 

 

Offer nivolumab after one or two lines of

Strong

 

VEGF-targeted therapy in mRCC.

 

 

Do not offer monotherapy with interferon-α

Weak

 

or high-dose bolus interleukin-2 as first-line

 

 

therapy in mRCC.

 

 

Do not use bevacizumab plus INF-α in

Weak

 

treatment-naïve clear-cell favourable- and

 

 

intermediate-risk RCC patients.

 

 

Do not use PD-L1 tumour expression as a

Weak

 

predictive biomarker.

 

 

Administer nivolumab plus ipilimumab in

Weak

 

centres with experience of immune

 

 

combination therapy and appropriate

 

 

supportive care within the context of a

 

 

multidisciplinary team.

 

 

Do not rechallange patients who stop

Strong

 

nivolumab plus ipilimumab because of

 

 

toxicity with the same drugs in the future

 

 

without expert guidance and support from

 

 

a multidisciplinary team.

 

 

IMDC = The Metastatic Renal Cancer Database Consortium; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma 93

 

Targeted therapies

 

At present, several targeting drugs have been approved both for the treatment of mRCC.

 

Summary of evidence

LE

VEGF-targeted therapies increase progression-free

1b

survival (PFS) and/or OS as both first-line and second-

 

line treatments for patients with clear-cell mRCC.

 

Cabozantinib in intermediate-and poor-risk treatment-

1a

naïve clear-cell RCC leads to better response rates

 

and PFS but not OS when compared to sunitinib.

 

Tivozanib has recently been approved but the

3

evidence is still considered inferior over existing

 

choices.

 

Axitinib has proven efficacy and superiority in PFS as

1b

a second-line treatment after failure of cytokines and

 

VEGF-targeted therapy in comparison with sorafenib.

 

Sunitinib is more effective than IFN-α in treatment-

1b

naïve patients.

 

In treatment-naïve patients, bevacizumab in

1b

combination with INF-α has not been tested against

 

nivolumab plus ipilimumab and the evidence for

 

subsequent therapies is unclear.

 

Pazopanib is superior to placebo in both treatment-

1b

naïve mRCC patients and post-cytokine patients.

 

First-line pazopanib is not inferior to sunitinib in clear-

1b

cell mRCC patients.

 

Temsirolimus monotherapy prolongs OS compared to

1b

IFN-α in treatment-naïve poor-risk mRCC.

 

In treatment-naïve patients, temsirolimus has not

3

been tested against nivolumab plus ipilimumab and

 

the evidence for subsequent therapies is unclear.

 

 

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Cabozantinib is superior to everolimus in terms of

1b

PFS and OS in patients after one or more lines of

 

VEGF-targeted therapy.

 

 

Everolimus prolongs PFS after VEGF-targeted therapy

1b

when compared to placebo or when the patient

 

cannot tolerate these therapies.

 

 

Sorafenib has broad activity in a spectrum of settings

4

in ccRCC patients previously treated with cytokine or

 

targeted therapies. It is inferior to axitinib in both

 

sunitinib or cytokine pre-treated patients.

 

 

Both mTOR inhibitors (everolimus and temsirolimus)

2a

and VEGF-targeted therapies (sunitinib or sorafenib)

 

have limited oncological efficacy in non-clear cell RCC.

 

There is a non-significant trend for improved

 

 

oncological outcomes for sunitinib, over everolimus.

 

Lenvatinib in combination with everolimus modestly

2a

improved PFS over everolimus alone.

 

 

 

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Use sunitinib or pazopanib in treatment-

Strong

 

naïve patients with clear-cell mRCC of

 

 

IMDC favourable risk.

 

 

Use cabozantinib in treatment-naïve

Weak

 

patients with clear-cell mRCC of IMDC

 

 

intermediate and poor risk.

 

 

Do not use bevacizumab plus INF-α in

Weak

 

treatment-naïve clear-cell favourable- and

 

 

intermediate-risk RCC patients.

 

 

Do not use tivozanib in treatment-naïve

Weak

 

clear-cell mRCC patients.

 

 

Do not use temsirolimus in treatment-naïve

Weak

 

clear-cell poor-risk RCC patients.

 

 

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma 95

 

Use VEGF-TKIs in second-line in patients

Weak

refractory to nivolumab plus ipilimumab.

 

Offer cabozantinib for ccRCC after one

Strong

or two lines of VEGF-targeted therapy in

 

mRCC.

 

Offer axitinib, everolimus or lenvatinib plus

Strong

everolimus to ccRCC patients who failed

 

VEGF-targeted therapy, and when

 

nivolumab or cabozantinib are not safe,

 

tolerable or available.

 

Sequence systemic therapy in treating

Strong

mRCC.

 

Offer sunitinib as first-line therapy for

Weak

non-clear cell mRCC.

 

Do not offer sorafenib as second-line

Weak

treatment to patients with mRCC.

 

 

IMDC = The Metastatic Renal Cancer Database Consortium; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Figure 1: Updated EAU Guidelines recommendations for the treatment of first-line clear-cell metastatic renal cancer.

 

 

 

 

First-line therapy

 

Second-line therapy

 

Third-line therapy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMDC favourable

 

suni nib or

 

cabozan nib or

 

cabozan nib or

 

risk disease

 

pazopanib

 

nivolumab

 

nivolumab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ipilimumab/

 

cabozan nib or

 

cabozan nib or an

 

 

 

 

VEGF-targeted

 

alterna ve targeted

 

 

 

nivolumab

 

 

 

IMDC intermediate

 

 

therapy

 

therapy

 

 

 

 

 

 

and poor risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

disease

 

cabozan nib,

 

VEGF targeted

 

An alterna ve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

suni nib or

 

therapy or

 

targeted therapy or

 

 

 

pazopanib*

 

nivolumab

 

nivolumab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxed categories represent strong recommenda ons

 

IMDC = The International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.

 

*pazopanib for intermediate-risk disease only.

 

Recurrent RCC

 

Locally recurrent disease can occur either after nephrectomy, PN, or after ablative therapy. After nephron-sparing treatment approaches the recurrence may be intra-renal or regional, e.g. venous tumour thrombi or retroperitoneal LN metastases.

 

Isolated local recurrence in the true renal fossa is rare. Patients can benefit from a complete surgical resection of local recurrent disease. In cases where complete surgical removal is not feasible due to advanced tumour growth and pain, palliative treatments including radiation treatment can be considered.

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma  97

 

Surveillance following surgery for RCC

 

The aim of surveillance is to detect either local recurrence or metastatic disease while the patient is still surgically curable. Surveillance after treatment for RCC allows the urologist to identify:

 

  • postoperative complications;

 

  • renal function;

 

  • local recurrence;

 

  • recurrence in the contralateral kidney;

 

  • development of metastases.

 

Depending on the availability of new effective treatments, more intensive follow-up schedules may be required, particularly as there is a higher local recurrence rate after cryotherapy and RFA. At present there is no evidence-based standard for the follow-up of patients with RCC, or for the optimal duration of follow-up. An example of a surveillance algorithm monitoring patients after treatment for RCC that recognises not only the patient’s risk profile but also treatment efficacy is provided in Table 2. For patients with metastatic disease, individualised follow-up is indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma

 

Table 2: Proposed surveillance schedule following treatment for RCC, taking into account patient risk profile and treatment efficacy

 

Risk profile

 

 

 

Surveillance

 

6 mo

1 y

2 y

3 y

> 3 y

Low

US

CT

US

CT

CT once every 2 years;

 

 

 

 

 

counsel about recurrence

 

 

 

 

 

risk of ~10%

Intermediate

CT

CT

CT

CT

CT once every 2 years

CT = computed tomography of chest and abdomen, alternatively use magnetic resonance imaging for the abdomen; US = ultrasound of abdomen, kidneys and renal bed.

 

Summary of evidence and recommendations for surveillance following RN or PN orablative therapies in RCC

 

Summary of evidence

LE

Surveillance can detect local recurrence or metastatic

4

disease while the patient is still surgically curable.

 

After NSS, there is an increased risk of recurrence for

3

larger (> 7 cm) tumours, or when there is a positive

 

surgical margin.

 

Patients undergoing surveillance have a better overall

3

survival than patients not undergoing surveillance.

 

Repeated CT scans do not reduce renal function in

3

chronic kidney disease patients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Renal Cell Carcinoma 99

 

Recommendations

Strength rating

Base follow-up after RCC on the risk of

Strong

recurrence.

 

Intensify follow-up in patients after NSS

Weak

for tumours > 7 cm or in patients with a

 

positive surgical margin.

 

Base risk stratification on pre-existing

Strong

classification systems such as the

 

University of California Los Angeles

 

integrated staging system integrated risk

 

assessment score

 

(http://urology.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=443).

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This short booklet text is based on the more comprehensive

 

EAU Guidelines (ISBN: 978-94-92671-01-1), available to all members of the European Association of Urology at their website: http://www.uroweb.org/guidelines/.

 

 

  • Renal Cell Carcinoma