RENAL ONCOCYTOMA - A 38 CASES RETROSPECTI VE STUDY

38 cases of renal oncocytoma were recognized at Cochin's hospital from 1982 to 1991. Accurate diagnosis was not possible before performing s urgery. However, a benign tumor appearance on the preoperative morphol ogic investigations and an evocative peroperative macroscopie aspect o f renal oncocytoma, allowed us to realize a conservative surgery in 4 cases. Follow-up of 27 patients (11 lost to follow-up) showed a benign clinical behaviour in all cases, de spite of invasion of the perirena l fat in 2 cases, and tumoral thrombosis of a proximal branch of the r enal vein in 1 case. No metastase occured after a mean follow-up of 32 ,5 months, within range from 11 to 101. Our experience as well as the literature leads us to believe that renal oncocytoma is a benign tumor . We conclude that conservative surgery must be systematically conside red when peroperative histological examination assert the diagnosis of renal oncocytoma, especially when the tumoral diameter is less than 5 cm.