Ultrasonic diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma in hemodialysis patients.

From April 1985 to December 1992 abdominal ultrasonic examination was performed in 1,603 hemodialysis patients at our hospital. Renal cell carcinoma was found in 41 patients (2.6%), confirmed by nephrectomy as well as histology. This rate was 32 times greater than that of the general population (22 patients with renal cell carcinoma were detected among 27,933 at our health care center). Renal cell carcinoma was found in 18 patients with a contracted kidney, 19 with acquired cystic disease of the kidney and 4 with a native kidney after renal transplantation. Among 19 patients with acquired cystic disease of the kidney 8 had unilateral multiple tumors and 5 bilateral multiple tumors. The detection rate of renal cell carcinoma was 100% by ultrasonography, 67% by computerized tomography and 56% by angiography. Ultrasonography was the most accurate examination for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma in hemodialysis patients.