ACQUIRED CYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE AND RENAL- CELL CARCINOMA

Acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) can be defined as a multiple bil ateral transformation of kidneys in patients with end stage renal fail ure (ESRD). The prevalence of ACKD is proportional to the time on dial ysis. The etiology and natural history of ACKD are unclear. Uremia and chronic hemodialysis have been linked to the genesis of AKCD. There i s a correlation between ACKD and development of renal tumors. Renal ce ll carcinoma (RCC) is more frequent in the populations undergoing regu lar dialysis than those undergoing renal transplantation. In contrast, RCC appears more agressive in the transplant population. Many authors have recommended that patients with ESRD treated by renal replacement therapies be screened yearly for early detection of these tumors. We review the five patients with ACKD and RCC treated at our hospital ove r the last four years.