Incidental Detection of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Study was conducted in the department of Urology Mayo Hospital, Lahore from April 1997 to August 1998. 30 patients of either sex were included in the study. Age ranges were between 25-72 years (mean 52.5). Male to female ratio was 1.4:1. Fifty five percent of tumors were of the left kidney while the right kidney was involved in 45% of cases. Tumor sizes varied between 2cm to 18 cm. Forty eight percent of patients were smokers and 52% were nonsmokers. Stage I disease was present in 53% patients, 6% had stage IT disease, 13% were in stage III and 26% had stage IV disease. All patients underwent nephrectomy. Surgery was accomplished by a retroperitoneal approach. Twenty six percent patients had no urinary symptoms but were diagnosed incidentally when ultrasonography was performed for non-renal symptoms. With the advent of ultrasonography cases of renal cancer are being detected at earlier stages. In our study, most of cases presented in stage I disease.