TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE KIDNEY WITH TUMOR THROMBUS INTO THE VENA-CAVA

Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract with inferior v ena cava tumor thrombus is an unusual entity. We report the 16th such case and review the previous cases in the world literature, Preoperati ve diagnosis was correct in only 5 of the cases. This type of conditio n can be easily presumed to be renal cell carcinoma, Fifteen of the ca ses were managed with radical nephrectomy; 8 patients were managed wit h partial or complete resection of the vena cava due to adherence of t he tumor thrombus to the vessel wall, Overall outcome was poor, with s hort postoperative survival, Correct preoperative diagnosis, although difficult, could allow more complete preoperative planning or appropri ate nonoperative management.