THEORETICAL ANALYSIS ABOUT AN OPTIMAL SCREENING INTERVAL FOR RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Abstract

In recent years the number of incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased. It is undoubtedly true that ultrasonography is the most useful tool to detect RCC in small size. However, the optimal interval of ultrasound examination is unknown. To elucidate this, we investigated the growht rate of RCC during the period of non-treatment in 6 patients. Their growth was slow and the tumor volume doubling time ranged 372 to 579 (468±84.6) days. Based on this growth rate, we conclude that we can detect the majority of RCC ranging from 1.5 to 3cm in diameter if ultrasonography is repeated every 3 years and that the age of subjects for screening is over 40 years.