[Diagnosis of renal carcinoma in acquired cystic renal disease. Usefulness of echography in detection during subclinical phase].

BACKGROUND

The patients with end-stage renal disease on periodic hemodialysis often develop acquired cystic renal disease, and they have renal tumours more commonly than the normal population.

METHODS

To evaluate the usefulness of echography for the evaluation of these lesions and the prevalence of acquired cystic renal disease and occult renal tumours in patients treated with hemodialysis during years, a prospective ultrasonographic study was carried out. To this end, renal echographic studies were performed in 43 asymptomatic patients treated with periodic hemodialysis during 5 years or more. Patients with renal polycystic disease were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of acquired cystic renal disease was 86%. It was higher in males (96%) than in females (70%). Two patients (4.6%) had malignant renal tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the high prevalence of tumours in acquired cystic renal disease, it is suggested that periodic echographic studies should be carried out in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis during years to detect renal carcinoma in subclinical stage.