THE INCIDENCE OF MULTIFOCAL RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA IN PATIENTS WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY

Purpose: A prospective study was performed to determine the incidence of multifocal renal cell carcinoma in patients who are candidates for partial nephrectomy. Materials and Methods: Preoperative imaging studi es and surgical specimens in 44 patients suitable for partial nephrect omy but undergoing radical nephrectomy were prospectively reviewed. Re sults: Of 44 renal cell cancers 11 (25%) demonstrated pathological mul tifocality, while 10 of 11 multifocal tumors (91%) occurred in the fac e of a primary tumor 5 cm. or smaller. Tumor multifocality was indepen dent of the size of the primary renal tumor but occurred with a slight ly higher frequency in tumors of stage T3A or greater even if the prim ary tumor was small. Conclusions: Partial nephrectomy in patients with unilateral renal cancer should be approached with caution and should not be performed simply because it is technically feasible.