Survival following radical nephrectomy: review of a surgeon's experience

ABSTRACT

36 patients underwent radical nephrectomy for renal tumors between 1990 and 1996 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore by one consultant [MUK]. The records of all the patients were reviewed to see the presentation, stage and grade of tumor, survival and the different factors that led to better survival. 20 patients were male and 16 females, ages ranged from 1 to 80 years, mean age 43 years. At presentation hematuria was present in 23 [63.8%] patients, mass was present in 26 [72.7%], pain in 19 [52.7%], fever was recorded in 11 [30.5%] cases and weight loss was complained by 16 [44.4%] patients. At the time of diagnosis 8.3% [3] had stage 1 disease, 11.11% [4] had stage 2 disease, 41.6% [15] had stage 3 disease, and 38.8% [14] had stage 4 disease. 3 patients [8.3%] had transitional cell carcinoma of the collecting system, 4 [11.1%] had a Wilms tumor, while 29 [80.5%] patients had renal cell carcinoma. To date 33.3% [12] remain alive and well, 63.8%[23] did not survive the disease and 5.5%[2] were lost to follow up. Radical nephrectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with renal malignancies