1984 Volume 75 Issue 1 Pages 118-125
Long term clinical course of renal cell carcinoma was analyzed for 82 patients who visited us from January 1965 to December 1972. The results were as follows:
1. The overall crude survival rate was 36.6% (30/82) at 5 years and 30.5% (25/82) at 10 years. For the 25 patients who survived 10 years the cumulative survival rate was 50.9% at 15 years.
2. Distant metastases were found in 52 of 82 patients (72%); of these 27% were found when first seen, 29% were noted at 4 years and 16% later than 5 years after nephrectomy. Metastases were still manifested in 4 patients at 10 years and 2 patients at 13 years after nephrectomy.
3. The majority of patients who survived for more than 10 years belonged to the group of low stage and low grade tumors; however low stage and low grade renal cell carcinoma was not a guarantee for a long survival. Crude survival rates for 36 patients with low stage and low grade carcinoma were 58% at 5 years and 50% at 10 years. Low grade and low stage are necessary but not sufficient conditions for long term survival.
From the above results the following can be concluded: (1) it is necessary to maintain long term follow-up. (2) To achieve more acceptable survival rates other treatment modalities such as postoperative prophylactic treatment should be considered as adjunct to surgery.
