[Renal tumor with thrombus involving all of the lumen of the inferior vena cava: surgical indication, technique and results].

OBJECTIVES

Almost 5% of renal tumours are associated with thrombus of the renal vein or inferior vena cava at the time of diagnosis. Radical nephrectomy with complete resection of the tumour nodule is the reference first-line treatment in this situation. This retrospective series was designed to analyse the surgical strategy according to the extent of the tumour nodule and the morbidity and mortality as a function of the prognostic factors of these renal tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 1982 to 1995, 51 patients (out of a series of 724 nephrectomies) presented with renal vein invasion involving all of the lumen of the inferior vena cava. The choice of medical imaging varied over time (cavography, Doppler ultrasound, CT, MRI and transoesophageal ultrasonography). Control of the inferior vena cava was always performed below the renal veins and above the thrombus.

RESULTS

MRI and transoesophageal ultrasonography were found to be the most reliable diagnostic examinations. The incision and vessel control technique must be selected as a function of the type of thrombus and the emboligenic risk. With a follow-up of 4.3 years, the overall 2-year survival was 46% and the 5-year survival was 31%. All recurrences at 1 year occurred in N+ patients.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node status and invasion of the perirenal fat are the most important prognostic factors, while the presence and length of the thrombus do not appear to influence survival. Radical nephrectomy of these tumours, invading all of the lumen of the inferior vena cava, requires complete resection of the thrombus. Adhesion of the thrombus constitutes a major technical problem that must be envisaged before the incision in order to correctly control the vessels.