Perioperative and oncologic outcome in patients treated for renal cell carcinoma with an extended inferior vena cava tumour thrombus level II-IV.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and an extended tumour thrombus (TT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) is challenging and often requires a multidisciplinary approach. The aim of this study was to analyse results in the real-world management of RCC patients with an extended IVC TT (level II-IV according to the Mayo classification of macroscopic venous invasion in RCC) in terms of pre-, peri- and postoperative outcome, complications and oncologic outcome. METHODS: We investigated 61 patients with evidence of RCC and an extended TT in the IVC undergoing radical nephrectomy and tumour thrombectomy at our tertiary referral centre. Patients and operative characteristics were recorded and complications were analysed using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Follow-up data were retrieved by contacting the treating outpatient urologists, general practitioners and patients. RESULTS: The TT level was II in 36, III in 8 and IV in 17 patients. Complications grade IIIb and higher according to the Clavien-Dindo classification occurred in n = 3 (8.4 %), n = 2 (25.0 %) and n = 5 (29.5 %) patients with level II, III and IV TT, respectively. The overall survival of patients with TT level II, III and IV at 24 months (60 months) was 66.9 % (41.6 %), 83.3 % (83.3 %) and 64.1 % (51.3 %). Presence of primary metastatic disease was the only significant independent predictor for OS.  CONCLUSIONS: Radical nephrectomy with tumour thrombectomy appears to be a feasible and effective treatment option in the management of patients with RCC and an extended IVC TT.

Time course of endothelial damage in septic shock: prediction of outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial damage accounts greatly for the high mortality in septic shock. Higher expression of mediators (IL-6, IL-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [sICAM-1], soluble endothelial-linked adhesion molecule 1 [sELAM-1]) have been described for non-survivors in comparison with survivors. We investigated the predictive value of the mediators IL-6, IL-8, sELAM-1 and sICAM-1 and their time course in intensive care unit patients who developed septic shock with respect to outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, sELAM-1 and sICAM-1 in 40 intensive care unit patients who developed septic shock. Measurements were performed until death or until resolution of septic shock. Clinical and laboratory data were also recorded. RESULTS: After 48 hours the levels of sELAM-1 and sICAM-1 increased in non-survivors and decreased in survivors. sELAM-1 was predictive for outcome on the third day (P = 0.02) and the fourth day (P = 0.02) after diagnosis of septic shock. This difference in the time course between survivors and non-survivors occurred 7 days before death of the patients (median, 10 days). sICAM-1 levels increased significantly in non-survivors over the study period (P < 0.001). sELAM-1 (P = 0.04), IL-6 (P = 0.04) and IL-8 (P = 0.008) were significantly higher in non-survivors over the whole study period. The age and norepinephrine dose >0.5 mug/kg/min were significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: sELAM-1 showed a markedly opposing course after 48 hours of septic shock. This adhesion molecule may be a useful early predictor of disease severity in the course of septic shock after early initial treatment of the patients, and might suggest considering endothelial-restoring therapy.