OBJECTIVE: Vascular invasion in the form of tumour thrombus appears in a significant percentage of renal neoplasias. The importance of cephalic extension of the thrombus in prognosis is currently under discussion, but surgical treatment is mandatory in the absence of distant metastasis. METHODS: We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with a filter in the inferior vena cava, who underwent surgery in our department through a thoracoabdominal approach with extracorporeal circulation, deep hypothermia (below 18 degrees C) and cerebral retrograde perfusion. RESULTS: Although in the past it was believed tumour thrombus worsened prognosis in these patients, currently we know that surgical treatment, in selected cases, gives good results in terms of survival and disease-free time. CONCLUSIONS: We think the implementation of venous filters may increase the complexity of surgery.
OBJECTIVE: Vascular invasion in the form of tumour thrombus appears in a significant percentage of renal neoplasias. The importance of cephalic extension of the thrombus in prognosis is currently under discussion, but surgical treatment is mandatory in the absence of distant metastasis. METHODS: We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with a filter in the inferior vena cava, who underwent surgery in our department through a thoracoabdominal approach with extracorporeal circulation, deep hypothermia (below 18 degrees C) and cerebral retrograde perfusion. RESULTS: Although in the past it was believed tumour thrombus worsened prognosis in these patients, currently we know that surgical treatment, in selected cases, gives good results in terms of survival and disease-free time. CONCLUSIONS: We think the implementation of venous filters may increase the complexity of surgery.