Renal cell carcinoma: comparison of the TNM and Robson stage groupings.

This review compares the two major staging systems for renal cell carcinoma: the TNM and Robson systems. For purposes of worldwide clinical and scientific consistency, the TNM system is recommended. However, the primary tumor size cutoff of 2.5 cm. does not prognostically differentiate between stages I and II. A review of 337 patients with renal cell carcinoma, of whom 122 had stage I or II disease revealed that a 2.5-cm cutoff did not predict survival differences, while cutoffs of 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 cm did. Because 7.5 cm most closely approximates the mean renal cell cancer diameter as noted by SEER data, it is recommended that the TNM primary tumor cutoff be changed to 7.5 cm.