RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA - CORRELATION OF CT FINDINGS WITH NUCLEAR MORPHOLOGIC GRADING IN 100 TUMORS

The contrast-enhanced preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans and microscopic slides of 94 patients with 100 surgically resected renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) were retrospectively and independently reviewed in order to correlate the CT imaging findings of RCC with nuclear gra ding. As nuclear grade increased, RCCs were more likely to be of highe r stage and greater size at presentation, and appeared more heterogene ous and less marginated. Of the features analyzed, tumor margination m ost closely correlated with nuclear grade. Overlap in the CT appearanc e of individual tumors limited the potential of CT to differentiate RC Cs of varying grade. Small, well-marginated, homogeneous tumors, howev er, were either grade I or II, and were distinguishable from the more aggressive grade III lesions, which generally displayed irregular marg ins and greater inhomogeneity.