OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prognostic significance of the Choi criteria for assessing the responses of a renal mass and inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) receiving targeted therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of 22 patients diagnosed with RCC and IVC thrombus between 2005 and 2012. The efficacy of targeted therapy in renal mass and IVC tumor thrombus was evaluated using response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) and Choi criteria, respectively. Overall survival was estimated, and the prognostic significance of each variable was estimated using Cox proportional-hazards regression modeling.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in overall survival between patients with partial response (PR) and nonresponse according to RECIST criteria (19.3 vs 43 months; p = 0.212) or Choi criteria (9.0 vs 23.3 months; p = 0.109) in primary tumor. Regarding the response of IVC tumor thrombi, according to Choi criteria, nine patients (40.9 %) demonstrated PR and longer survival than patients with stable disease (7.2 vs 23.3 months; p = 0.014). In multivariable analysis, response to IVC thrombus according to Choi criteria was the only significant predictive factor. Patients with IVC thrombus who demonstrate the PR according to Choi criteria were at 0.35-fold greater overall risk of death compared with patients who did not demonstrate this response (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

A response according to Choi criteria in IVC tumor thrombus was an independent prognostic predictor in patients with RCC and IVC thrombus who receive targeted therapy.