Brian R Lane1, Michael W Kattan. 1. Glickman Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Renal cell carcinoma is estimated to account for more than 35,000 new diagnoses and more than 12,000 cancer-related deaths in the United States in 2005, making it the most lethal of genitourinary malignancies. Approximately 25% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with metastases, and about a third of those treated surgically for localized renal cell carcinoma will develop a recurrence. Current therapeutic options for disseminated disease benefit only a small percentage of patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Many clinical, histologic, and molecular factors have been identified that place a patient at risk for recurrence. Several prognostic algorithms, or nomograms, for renal cell carcinoma survival or recurrence after nephrectomy have been developed that incorporate many of these factors. SUMMARY: Renal cell carcinoma nomograms allow more accurate counseling of patients regarding their probable clinical course, facilitate treatment planning, and identify high-risk patients for experimental treatments.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Renal cell carcinoma is estimated to account for more than 35,000 new diagnoses and more than 12,000 cancer-related deaths in the United States in 2005, making it the most lethal of genitourinary malignancies. Approximately 25% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with metastases, and about a third of those treated surgically for localized renal cell carcinoma will develop a recurrence. Current therapeutic options for disseminated disease benefit only a small percentage of patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Many clinical, histologic, and molecular factors have been identified that place a patient at risk for recurrence. Several prognostic algorithms, or nomograms, for renal cell carcinoma survival or recurrence after nephrectomy have been developed that incorporate many of these factors. SUMMARY:Renal cell carcinoma nomograms allow more accurate counseling of patients regarding their probable clinical course, facilitate treatment planning, and identify high-risk patients for experimental treatments.