Multi-disciplinary surgical approach to the management of patients with renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus: 15 year experience and lessons learned

A Narrative Review on Robotic Surgery as Treatment for Renal Cell Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common diagnosis, of which a notable portion of patients present with an extension into the venous circulation causing an inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus. Venous extension has significant implications for staging and subsequent treatment planning, with recommendations for more aggressive surgical removal, although associated surgical morbidity and mortality is relatively increased. The methods for surgical removal of RCC with IVC thrombus remain complex, particularly surrounding the use of robot-assisted surgery. Robot assistance for radical nephrectomy in this context is recently emerging. Thrombus level has important implications for surgical technique and prognosis. Other preoperative considerations may include location, laterality, size, and wall invasion. The urology literature on treatment of such tumors is largely limited to case series and institutional studies that describe the feasibility of various surgical options for these complex tumors. Further understanding of the outcomes and patient-specific risk factors would shed increased light on the optimal treatment for such cases. This narrative review provides a thorough overview on the previously reported use of robot-assisted nephrectomy in RCC with IVC thrombus to inform further studies which may optimize outcomes and guide shared decision-making.

The value of enhanced multiparameteric MRI diagnostic model for preoperatively predicting surgical methods of inferior vena cava in patients with renal tumors and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND

Inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (IVCTT) invading the IVC wall majorly affects the surgical method choice and prognosis in renal tumors. Enhanced multiparameteric MRI plays an important role in preoperative evaluation. In this work, an MRI-based diagnostic model for IVCTT was established so as to guide the preoperative decisions.

METHODS

Preoperative MR images of 165 cases of renal tumors with IVCTT were retrospectively analyzed, and imaging indicators were analyzed, including IVCTT morphology and Mayo grade, IVCTT diameter measurements, bland thrombosis, primary MRI-based diagnosis of renal tumor, and involvement of contralateral renal vein. The indicators were analyzed based on intraoperative performance and resection scope of the IVC wall. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish the diagnostic model.

RESULTS

The morphological classification of the IVCTT, primary MRI-based diagnosis of renal tumors, maximum transverse diameter of IVCTT, and length of the bland thrombus were the main indexes predicting IVC wall invasion. The MRI-based diagnostic model established according to these indexes had good diagnostic efficiency. The prediction probability of 0.61 was set as the cutoff value. The area under the curve of the test set was 0.88, sensitivity was 0.79, specificity was 0.85, and prediction accuracy was 0.79 under the optimal cutoff value.

CONCLUSION

The preoperative MRI-based diagnostic model could reliably predict IVC wall invasion, which is helpful for better prediction of IVC-associated surgical operations.

Artificial Intelligence in Kidney Cancer

Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding into nearly all facets of life, particularly within the field of medicine. The diagnosis, characterization, management, and treatment of kidney cancer is ripe with areas for improvement that may be met with the promises of artificial intelligence. Here, we explore the impact of current research work in artificial intelligence for clinicians caring for patients with renal cancer, with a focus on the perspectives of radiologists, pathologists, and urologists. Promising preliminary results indicate that artificial intelligence may assist in the diagnosis and risk stratification of newly discovered renal masses and help guide the clinical treatment of patients with kidney cancer. However, much of the work in this field is still in its early stages, limited in its broader applicability, and hampered by small datasets, the varied appearance and presentation of kidney cancers, and the intrinsic limitations of the rigidly structured tasks artificial intelligence algorithms are trained to complete. Nonetheless, the continued exploration of artificial intelligence holds promise toward improving the clinical care of patients with kidney cancer.

Predictors of Survival in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma and Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus

INTRODUCTION

Surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus is a complex procedure with significant morbidity. Patient selection is critical to determining whether the benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks. In this study, we identified and stratified the risk factors that were associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing surgical resection of RCC with IVC thrombus.

METHODS

We identified all patients with RCC with IVC tumor thrombus (stages cT3b and cT3c) who had undergone radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy between December 1, 1993 and June 30, 2009. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate OS and RFS. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between risk factors and OS. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on the number of risk factors present at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-four patients were included in the study. A total of 45.3% of patients had metastasis at presentation, 84.5% had cT3b, and 90.2% had clear cell RCC. cT3c, cN1, and cM1 were significantly associated with the risk of death. Group 1 patients (0 risk factors) had a median OS duration of 77.6 months (95% CI 50.5-90.4), group 2 (1 risk factor) 26.0 months (95% CI 19.5-35.2), and group 3 (≥2 risk factors) 8.9 months (95% CI 5.2-12.9; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Stratification of patients with RCC and IVC thrombus by risk factors allowed us to predict survival duration. In patients with ≥2 risk factors, new treatment strategies with preoperative systemic therapy may improve survival.

Extracorporeal Partial Nephrectomy with Orthotopic Autotransplantation under Pharmaco-Cold Ischaemia for Cancer of a Single Kidney: A Case Report

Up to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have locally advanced disease with venous tumour thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava (IVC). 30–50% of them present with synchronous metastatic disease. Surgical treatment remains the only potentially radical method for patients suffering from RCC and IVC tumour thrombosis without distant metastases. Five-year cancer-specific survival for such patients is 40–60%. The role of surgery in the treatment of RCC is significant, even if only cytoreductive operation is possible. Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is reasonably preferable for patients suffering from single kidney RCC, but it is not always radical enough. Extracorporeal approach allows to perform a radical dissection of the tumour in special complicated cases, but it is seldom used because of technical difficulties. We present a case of successful NSS by extracorporeal approach in our modification for RCC with IVC tumour thrombosis.

Outcomes in Renal Cell Carcinoma With IVC Thrombectomy: A Multiteam Analysis Between an NCI-Designated Cancer Center and a Quaternary Care Teaching Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Interteam performance and Clavien-Dindo (C-D) complications in renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombectomy (RCC-IVCT) have not been reported. We aimed to describe complications by the degree of complexity and surgical teams in a collaborative effort between a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a Quaternary Care Teaching Hospital.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and May 2019, 73 consecutive RCC-IVCT were included. C-D grades III or higher were captured. Teams involved were urologic-oncology, vascular, hepatobiliary/transplant, and cardiothoracic. The Mayo Clinic tumor thrombus classification was used.

RESULTS

Overall complication rate was 42% (n = 31). Nineteen percent had grade III, 18% had grade IV, and 6% had grade V complications. Patients with level IV thrombus had the highest in-hospital mortality rate (75%). Thrombus level did not show a correlation to complication rates (14% level I, 45% level II, 32% level III, 42% level IV). A positive correlation found between the number of teams involved and complication rates (35% with 2-team, 59% with 3-team, P = .059). Thromboembolic events (6% vs 24%, P = .02) and disposition other than home (22% vs 48%, P = .01) were statistically lower for the 2-team groups. Two-team in-hospital mortality was 1/51 (2%) versus 3-team (3/22,14%, (P = .07). No statistical differences were found in infections, thromboembolic events, and grades of complications between surgical teams.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite similar interteam performance, the consistency of surgeons in high complexity cases could improve outcomes further. Complexity was higher for hepatobiliary/transplant and cardiothoracic teams. A combination of intraoperative events and patient selection (comorbidities and age) contributed to death. Overall, in-hospital mortality was lower than in most reported series.

A Predictive Model for Tumor Invasion of the Inferior Vena Cava Wall Using Multimodal Imaging in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma and Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus

Purpose

Developed a preoperative prediction model based on multimodality imaging to evaluate the probability of inferior vena cava (IVC) vascular wall invasion due to tumor infiltration.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 110 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with level I-IV tumor thrombus who underwent radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy between January 2014 and April 2019. The patients were categorized into two groups: 86 patients were used to establish the imaging model, and the data validation was conducted in 24 patients. We measured the imaging parameters and used logistic regression to evaluate the uni- and multivariable associations of the clinical and radiographic features of IVC resection and established an image prediction model to assess the probability of IVC vascular wall invasion.

Results

In all of the patients, 46.5% (40/86) had IVC vascular wall invasion. The residual IVC blood flow (OR 0.170 [0.047-0.611]; P = 0.007), maximum coronal IVC diameter in mm (OR 1.203 [1.065-1.360]; P = 0.003), and presence of bland thrombus (OR 3.216 [0.870-11.887]; P = 0.080) were independent risk factors of IVC vascular wall invasion. We predicted vascular wall invasion if the probability was >42% as calculated by: {Ln [Pre/(1 - pre)] = 0.185 × maximum cornal IVC diameter + 1.168 × bland thrombus-1.770 × residual IVC blood flow-5.857}. To predict IVC vascular wall invasion, a rate of 76/86 (88.4%) was consistent with the actual treatment, and in the validation patients, 21/26 (80.8%) was consistent with the actual treatment.

Conclusions

Our model of multimodal imaging associated with IVC vascular wall invasion may be used for preoperative evaluation and prediction of the probability of partial or segmental IVC resection.

Pre-operative risk factors predicting missed diagnosis of renal vein tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Previous reports showed that some patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal vein tumor thrombus (RVTT) were misdiagnosed pre-operatively. To improve the accuracy of this diagnosis, the clinical characteristics of RCC with missed RVTT diagnosis were analyzed.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed RCC patients with RVTT between January 2000 and December 2015. The survival analysis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazard models were applied to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

The missed diagnosis rate of RVTT in RCC was 30.5%. In multivariate analysis, maximal tumor diameter, tumor located in the middle part, renal vein contrast agents filling insufficiently and tumor with collateral vessels (odds ratio = 1.22, 1.35, 1.25, 1.22; and p = .034, .003, .015 and .037, respectively) were independent predictors of missed RVTT diagnosis. A missed-diagnosis score was presented as area under curve of 0.852 (p < .001). Moreover, the missed diagnosis group had favorable prognosis, and tumor with collateral vessels was an independent prognostic indicator of poor overall survival time (hazard ratio = 1.15, p = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first study exploring clinical features as predictors of missed RVTT diagnosis. The possibility of complicating tumor thrombus should be considered when there is pre-operative presence of tumor with large diameter, renal tumor in the middle part, renal tumor with collateral vessels and renal vein contrast agents filling insufficiently. Patients with three points in missed-diagnosis scoring suggested a high possibility of missed RVTT diagnosis, and tumor with collateral vessels indicated poor prognosis.

Imaging Advances in the Management of Kidney Cancer

New developments in cross-sectional imaging, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound, dual-energy computed tomography, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, together with novel application of existing and novel radiotracers, have changed the landscape of renal mass characterization (ie, virtual biopsy) as well as the detection of metastatic disease, prognostication, and response assessment in patients with advanced kidney cancer. A host of imaging response criteria have been developed to characterize the response to targeted and immune therapies and correlate with patient outcomes, each with strengths and limitations. Recent efforts to advance the field are aimed at increasing objectivity with quantitative techniques and the use of banks of imaging data to match the vast genomic data that are becoming available. The emerging field of radiogenomics has the potential to transform further the role of imaging in kidney cancer management through eventual noninvasive characterization of the tumor histology and genetic microenvironment in single renal masses and/or metastatic disease. We review of the effect of currently available imaging techniques in the management of patients with kidney cancer, including localized, locally advanced, and metastatic disease.

The value of a cross-discipline team-based approach for resection of renal cell carcinoma with IVC tumor thrombus: A report of a large, contemporary, single-institution experience

INTRODUCTION

We report the evolution of the largest, contemporary, single-institution experience with this complex procedure to highlight the value of a cross-discipline, team-based approach.

METHODS

Patients from a prospectively maintained database who underwent resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus from 2005 to 2016 at a single-institution were included for analysis.

RESULTS

Of 140 patients, 102 (73%) had tumor thrombus below the level of the hepatic vein confluence, and 96 (69%) were performed for curative-intent, while 43 (31%) were cytoreductive procedures for clinical trial consideration. Median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 43.8 months (5-year OS:43%), and 73.6 months (5-year OS:59%) for those without metastatic disease. Fifty-one patients underwent resection from 2005 to 2010 and 89 from 2011 to 2016. All procedures since 2011 were performed by the same cross-discipline dedicated team of two surgeons, composed of a surgical and urological oncologist. When comparing the two time-periods, the team-approach after 2011 had shorter operative-times (5.3 vs 6.7 hours; P = 0.009), decreased ICU-utilization (25% vs 72%; P < 0.001), and decreased ICU length-of-stay (0.4 vs 2.2 days; P = 0.001). This group also trended towards less blood loss (1.2 vs 1.8 L), shorter average hospital length-of-stay (10 vs 11 days), and decreased 90-day mortality (6% vs 10%).

CONCLUSION

Resection of RCC with IVC tumor thrombus yields long-term survival. A dedicated, cross-discipline, and team-based approach optimizes patient outcomes and may improve value of care by reducing utilization of expensive hospital resources.

Postsurgical complications in patients with renal tumours with venous thrombosis treated with surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Surgery on renal tumours with venous thrombosis suffers a high rate of complications and non-negligible perioperative mortality. Our objective was to analyse the postoperative complications, their relationship with the level of the thrombus and its potential predisposing factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 101 patients with renal tumours with venous thrombosis operated on between 1988 and 2017. Two patients were excluded because of intraoperative pulmonary thromboembolism and exitus (2%). The postsurgical complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. To compare the qualitative variables, we employed the chi-squared test. We performed a multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression to identify the independent predictors.

RESULTS

Some type of postsurgical complication occurred in 34 (34.3%) patients, 11 (11.1%) of which were severe (Clavien III-V). There were significant differences in the total complications (P=.003) and severe complications (Clavien≥III; P=.03) depending on the level of the tumour thrombus.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinicopathologic factors linked to oncologic outcomes for renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus treated by radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy

BACKGROUND

There remain discrepancies over the factors that influence oncologic outcomes after radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy (RNTE). To assess significant predictors of oncologic outcomes after RNTE from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science was performed to identify eligible studies. The endpoints included cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS). A formal meta-analysis was performed for studies containing non-metastatic and metastatic tumors. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis including the subgroup of studies containing non-metastatic tumors only was conducted. Cumulative analyses of hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were conducted.

RESULTS

Overall, 35 retrospective studies of low to moderate risk of bias including 11,929 patients were included. The results indicated that large tumor size, high Fuhrman grade, tumor necrosis, positive lymph node, and metastasis at surgery were adverse significant predictors for both CSS and OS. Also, IVC tumor thrombus, sarcomatoid differentiation, perinephretic fat invasion, and adrenal gland invasion were associated with poor CSS. In the subset of non-metastatic patients, the significant predictors were clinical symptom, thrombus level, Fuhrman grade and adrenal gland invasion for CSS; thrombus consistency, Fuhrman grade and tumor necrosis for OS; tumor size, Fuhrman grade and perinephretic fat invasion for RFS.

CONCLUSIONS

A meta-analysis of available data identified significant prognostic factors of CSS, OS and RFS that should be systematically evaluated to propose a risk-adapted approach to postoperative patient counseling, risk stratification, and therapy selection.

The loss of BAP1 protein expression predicts poor prognosis in patients with nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis

OBJECTIVES

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by a propensity for extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) and is associated with poor prognosis. BAP1 mutation, which occurs in about 15% of patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), also predicts poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between BAP1 protein expression and clinicopathological outcomes in patients with nonmetastatic ccRCC with an IVC tumor thrombus (IVCTT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-five patients with nonmetastatic ccRCC with an IVCTT who underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy at our institution from 1999 to 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed for the expression of BAP1 protein, and the associations between the expression of BAP1 and clinical outcomes were assessed. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate analyses of the associations between disease-free survival (DFS) and clinical variables including BAP1 protein expression, tumor size, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, and the extension level of the tumor thrombus were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 58.8 months (range: 2-130 months). The median age was 68 years (range: 37-80 years). The median size of the primary tumor was 9.6cm (range: 3.0-15.0cm). The IVCTT extended above and below the diaphragm in 10 (28.6%) and 25 (71.4%) patients, respectively. The KPS score was>80 in 23 patients (65.7%). BAP1 protein expression on IHC was positive in 24 cases (68.8%) and negative in 11 cases (31.2%). The median overall survival in cases with BAP1-negative and -positive tumor on IHC staining were 44.7 and 81.5 months, respectively (P = 0.052). BAP1-negative tumor on IHC staining was associated with a significantly shorter DFS than BAP1-positive tumor (median DFS = 10.0 vs. 26.0 months, respectively; P = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that only BAP1-negative tumor on IHC staining was significantly associated with shorter DFS (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients whose tumors had loss of BAP1 protein expression were significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with ccRCC with an IVCTT who underwent radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy.

Contemporary surgical outcomes of venous tumour thrombectomy managed with intraoperative Doppler ultrasound for kidney cancer

INTRODUCTION

Radical nephrectomy (RN) with venous tumour thrombectomy (VTT) carries a significant morbidity and mortality risk. Examination of a contemporary single-institution series permits the development of a management algorithm and an audit its results. We report outcomes following the use of intraoperative colour Doppler ultrasound and our surgical pathway.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients who underwent RN with VTT for kidney cancer between January 1, 2013 and October 1, 2016. Surgical complications, postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥3), 90-day readmission rates, and outcomes are reported. Multivariate linear regression, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazard modelling were used to identify associations.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients underwent RN with VTT. Of these, 26 (45%) patients had Mayo Clinic level III or IV thrombus and nineteen required venovenous/cardiopulmonary bypass. Three patients required patch grafting. The median length of hospital stay was eight days and there were 20 major complications. The 30-day readmission rate was 21% and the 90-day mortality rate was 8.9%. In multivariate analysis, low serum albumin and age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity score predicted length of stay. Increased intraoperative blood loss was significantly associated with increasing body mass index, serum creatinine, tumour thrombus level, and a history of significant weight loss >9.1kg. Low serum hematocrit predicted 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative colour Doppler ultrasound is a useful tool and can facilitate caval preservation. Caval grafting can be avoided in most cases. Venovenous bypass can be avoided in many level III cases. Early therapeutic anticoagulation should be instituted with caution.

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with levels III and IV tumor thrombus using the « flush » technique

OBJECTIVE

To determinate feasibility and results of the flush technique by hands for the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with levels III and IV inferior vena cava thrombus (VCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study for all patients who underwent a surgical treatment for RCC with levels III and IV VCT in our department between June 2010 and July 2017. Sixteen patients were identified.

RESULTS

All tumors were resected using a subcostal incision for right RCC and a chevron incision for the left RCC. Vena cava control was performed only on its subhepatic portion. After renal artery ligature, anesthesiologists were asked to generate a positive pressure in the small circulation. Subsequently, the vena cava was incised longitudinally to the orifice of the renal vein and the thrombus dissected and extracted of the upper part of the vena cava. Only once the supra-renal part of the vena cava was free of thrombus, the supra-renal portion of the vena cava could be clamped. We never had to perform neither thoracotomy nor hepatic mobilization. Therefore, support of a hepatic, vascular or cardiac surgeon was not necessary. The mean operative time was 201 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 2040 ml. No patient died during hospitalization, and mean hospitalization stay duration was 16.6 days.

CONCLUSION

The flush technique allows a limitation of the dissection extent. It requires neither hepatic mobilization nor thoracotomy. This results in a decrease in the operative time and blood loss.

Xeno-pericardial patch repair of the inferior vena cava for radical resection of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus

Background and Objectives

For tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) complicated with kidney cancer, we built a surgical team to achieve (1) en bloc tumor resection; (2) xeno‐pericardial patch IVC repair; and (3) minimum organ damages. We reviewed outcome of the case series to verify rationale of this approach.

Methods

A consecutive series of 12 patients having the IVC tumor thrombus by renal cell carcinoma in the last 3 years was enrolled. Minimum kidney ischemia was induced in five cases (Procedure I), whereas liver and kidney ischemia was induced in five cases (Procedure II). Mild hypothermic extracorporeal circulation was used in two cases (Procedure III).

Results

There was no mortality or severe morbidities related to the surgery. Postoperative recovery was most prompt by the Procedure I. Liver and kidney ischemic time was longer in the Procedure III than the Procedure II, whereas organ function was not substantially impaired in either series. The resected IVC margin was free from the cancer in all cases, while local recurrence was not seen in any cases.

Conclusions

En bloc resection with xeno‐pericardial patch repair of the IVC was successfully performed in the tumor thrombus complicated with kidney cancer with minimum organ damage.