RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA IN CHILDREN - THE DETROIT EXPERIENCE

Purpose: We analyzed the presentation, treatment and survival of 6 chi ldren with renal cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospecti vely reviewed the pathological and hospital records of 6 children diag nosed with renal cell carcinoma at Children's Hospital of Michigan (5) and Henry Ford Hospital (1) from 1980 to 1995. Results: The most comm on presenting complaints were flank pain (50%) and a palpable abdomina l mass (50%), while gross hematuria was present in only 1 patient (16% ). No patient had the classic triad of flank pain, hematuria and a pal pable mass. Only 1 patient had localized disease (stage II), while 5 o f the 6 presented with stage III or IV disease. While followup is limi ted, all patients with stage III disease are without evidence of recur rence at a mean 38.5 months and 1 of 2 with stage IV disease is withou t evidence of disease at 22 months. Conclusions: Although renal cell c arcinoma in childhood often presents at an advanced stage, the prognos is for those with isolated regional lymph node involvement appears to be encouraging.