Radical and Conservative Surgery of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

After having outlined the approaches for radical nephrectomy and after some critical considerations, the authors dwell upon the current indications for conservative surgery of renal cell carcinoma. They discuss the problems related to such therapy, emphasizing the advantages and possible risks. In particular, the problems connected with multifocal lesions and peritumoral spread are examined, the real clinical meaning of which is at present unknown, as shown by the discrepancy between experimental and clinical data. Then the authors present their own experience concerning 11 cases of renal carcinoma who underwent conservative surgical treatment between January 89 and September 92. None had relapses nor further progression. The conclusion is that, although the results of such surgery are very encouraging, nonetheless prospective studies and a wider selection of cases are required in order to define its role in the treatment of renal carcinoma.