Surgery for renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava.

We have reviewed 26 patients with renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava, 21 of whom underwent radical nephrectomy with either venacavotomy and tumor thrombectomy, or vena cava resection. Of 12 patients who presented with localized neoplasm 6 (50 per cent) are currently alive. Poor results were obtained in 9 patients who had preoperative metastatic disease. Over-all operative mortality was 14 per cent and morbidity was minimal, with no pulmonary emboli intraoperatively or postoperatively.