Pre-operative renal arterial embolisation does not provide survival benefit in patients with radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

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.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of preoperative renal artery embolization prior to radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: Is it necessary?

INTRODUCTION

Radical nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is still the treatment of choice for all stages except for stage I and IV, which need patient selectivity. The purpose of Renal Artery Embolization (RAE) pre-operative before radical nephrectomy is to facilitate resection, reduce bleeding, and reduce the time to surgery, but the necessity of this procedure is still debatable. This study investigates the efficacy of pre-operative Renal Artery Embolization (PRAE) before radical nephrectomy for RCC patients.

METHODS

The systematic searches based on PRISMA guidelines were conducted in Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medrxiv, and ScienceDirect databases with pre-defined keywords. Both analyses, quantitative and qualitative, were performed to assess blood loss, transfusion rate, surgical time, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 921 patients from 8 eligible studies were included. The blood loss was significantly lower in the PRAE group compared to the control group (p = < 0.00001; SMD -20 mL; 95%CI -0.29, -0.12). There is no statistically significant difference between RAE and without RAE in the transfusion rate nephrectomy (p = 0.53, OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.16, 2.57), mean operative time (p = 0.69; SMD 5.91; 95% CI -23.25, 35.07), mean length of hospital stay (p = 0.05; SMD 0.56; 95% CI 0.00, 1.12), and mean length of stay in the ICU (p = 0.45; SMD 11.61; 95% CI -18.35, 41.57) Conclusions: PRAE before radical nephrectomy significantly reduces blood loss in RCC patients but is similar in the surgical time, transfusion rate, and length of hospital stay and ICU stay.

Technical Tips for Performing Suprahepatic Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy in Renal Cell Carcinoma without Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Radical nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy for advanced renal cell carcinoma is an oncologically relevant approach that can achieve long-term survival even in the presence of distant metastases. However, the surgical techniques pose significant challenges. The objective of this clinical review was to present technical recommendations for tumor thrombectomy in the vena cava to facilitate surgical treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography is required to prepare for this procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered when the tumor thrombus has invaded the cardiac chamber and clamping is not feasible because of the inability to milk the intracardiac chamber thrombus in the caudal direction. Prior to performing a cavotomy, it is crucial to clamp the contralateral renal vein and infrarenal and suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC). If the suprahepatic IVC is separated from the surrounding tissue, it can be gently pulled down toward the patient's leg until the lower margin of the atrium becomes visible. Subsequently, the tumor thrombus should be carefully pulled downward to a position where it can be clamped. Implementing the Pringle maneuver to reduce blood flow from the hepatic veins to the IVC during IVC cavotomy is simpler than clamping the hepatic veins. Sequential clamping is a two-stage method of dividing thrombectomy by clamping the IVC twice, first suprahepatically and then midretrohepatically. This sequential clamping technique helps minimize hypotension status and the Pringle maneuver time compared to single clamping. Additionally, a spiral cavotomy can decrease the degree of primary closure narrowing. The oncological prognoses of patients can be improved by incorporating these technical recommendations.

A rare case report of bile duct compression by a polycystic kidney treated by total nephrectomy after embolization

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Polycystic kidney disease is a cillopathy characterized by the formation of numerous cysts in the kidneys, sometimes associated with extra-renal forms. Diagnosis is often by chance, or by other complications such as hematuria, urinary tract infections or, rarely, compression of neighboring organs.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a patient consulted for a symptomatology similar to that of acute pancreatitis, whose investigation objectified compression of the main bile duct by a voluminous right kidney polycystic in a CT scan.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

For this compressive complication of the polycystic kidney, a nephrectomy was performed after embolization of the renal artery, given the haemorrhage risk.

CONCLUSION

A polycystic kidney should be removed in the event of a compressive complication and, given the risk of haemorrhage, should preferably be preceded by embolization.

SUPERSELECTIVE EMBOLIZATION OF THE RENAL ARTERIES AS A MONOTHERAPY OF KIDNEY TUMOR IN A PATIENT WITH HIGH ANESTHESIOLOGIC RISK

Introduction: Renal artery embolization is a minimally invasive X-ray endovascular operation that is used in the treatment of various urological diseases. This operation is of increasing interest due to its ability to occlude not only proximal, but also distal renal vessels with a low risk of complications. Recent developments in endovascular technology make embolization one of the effective and safe methods applicable to stop renal bleeding, preoperative preparation for surgical treatment of renal malignant tumors, and first-line treatment for angiomyolipomas. For a certain category of patients, renal artery embolization is practically no alternative method of treatment. This applies to comorbid patients with kidney tumors and aggravated somatic status, in whom the anesthetic risk makes open or laparoscopic surgical treatment impossible, and embolization can reduce symptoms, improve the quality of life of such patients and prolong the patient's life.Clinical case: we demonstrate the experience of X-ray surgical treatment of cT1aN0M0 left kidney cancer in an 80-year-old patient.Conclusion: Embolization of renal arteries in some cases can be an effective and safe alternative treatment for renal cell carcinoma in somatically burdened patients who cannot perform surgical treatment.

Utility of preoperative vascular embolization of renal tumors with left renal vein tumor thrombus

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Preoperative renal artery embolization (PRAE) for large renal masses may be performed prior to nephrectomy in order to simplify the procedure and reduce intraoperative bleeding. The objective of this work is to determine the role of PRAE on intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications in left renal tumors with tumor thrombus limited to the left renal vein (level 0).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis to evaluate 46 patients who underwent left radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with level 0 tumor thrombus during the period 1990-2020. PRAE was limited to those cases in which surgical access to the main renal artery was presumed a priori difficult in the preoperative imaging study (n = 9; 19.6%). Intraoperative bleeding was estimated based on the perioperative transfusion rate, and postoperative complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The Chi-squared test was used for comparisons. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of transfusion and complications.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate (11.1% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.19), major complication rate (0% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.51), or transfusion rate (11.1% vs. 19%, p = 0.49) between both groups (PRAE vs. non-PRAE). In the multivariate analysis, PRAE did not behave as a predictor of complications (OR: 0.11, 95%CI 0.01-2.86; p = 0.18) nor transfusion (OR: 0.46, 95%CI 0.02-7.38; p = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study on left RCC with level 0 tumor thrombus and difficult access to the main renal artery, PRAE was not associated with increased bleeding or postoperative complications, and it did not behave as an independent predictor of these variables. Therefore, it could be used as a preoperative maneuver to facilitate vascular management in selected cases.

Role of Imaging in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Multidisciplinary Perspective

With the expansion in cross-sectional imaging over the past few decades, there has been an increase in the number of incidentally detected renal masses and an increase in the incidence of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). The complete characterization of an indeterminate renal mass on CT or MR images is challenging, and the authors provide a critical review of the best imaging methods and essential, important, and optional reporting elements used to describe the indeterminate renal mass. While surgical staging remains the standard of care for RCC, the role of renal mass CT or MRI in staging RCC is reviewed, specifically with reference to areas that may be overlooked at imaging such as detection of invasion through the renal capsule or perirenal (Gerota) fascia. Treatment options for localized RCC are expanding, and a multidisciplinary group of experts presents an overview of the role of advanced medical imaging in surgery, percutaneous ablation, transarterial embolization, active surveillance, and stereotactic body radiation therapy. Finally, the arsenal of treatments for advanced renal cancer continues to grow to improve response to therapy while limiting treatment side effects. Imaging findings are important in deciding the best treatment options and to monitor response to therapy. However, evaluating response has increased in complexity. The unique imaging findings associated with antiangiogenic targeted therapy and immunotherapy are discussed. An invited commentary by Remer is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Utility of preoperative vascular embolization of renal tumors with left renal vein tumor thrombus

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Preoperative renal artery embolization (PRAE) for large renal masses may be performed prior to nephrectomy in order to simplify the procedure and reduce intraoperative bleeding. The objective of this work is to determine the role of PRAE on intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications in left renal tumors with tumor thrombus limited to the left renal vein (level 0).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis to evaluate 46 patients who underwent left radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with level 0 tumor thrombus during the period 1990-2020. PRAE was limited to those cases in which surgical access to the main renal artery was presumed a priori difficult in the preoperative imaging study (n=9; 19.6%). Intraoperative bleeding was estimated based on the perioperative transfusion rate, and postoperative complications were categorized according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. The Chi-squared test was used for comparisons. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of transfusion and complications.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate (11.1% vs. 32.4%, P=.19), major complication rate (0% vs.8.1%, P=.51), or transfusion rate (11.1% vs. 19%, P=.49) between both groups (PRAE vs. non-PRAE). In the multivariate analysis, PRAE did not behave as a predictor of complications (OR:0.11, 95%CI 0.01-2.86; P=.18) nor transfusion (OR:0.46, 95%CI 0.02-7.38;P=.58).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study on left renal cell carcinomas with level 0 tumor thrombus and difficult access to the main renal artery, PRAE was not associated with increased bleeding or postoperative complications, and it did not behave as an independent predictor of these variables. Therefore, it could be used as a preoperative maneuver to facilitate vascular management in selected cases.

Immediate preoperative renal artery embolization in the resection of complex renal tumors (UroCCR-48 Reinbol study)

PURPOSE

We evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of immediate preoperative renal artery embolization (IPRAE) before complex nephrectomy for locally advanced RCC ± inferior vena cava thrombus (IVCT).

METHODS

A comparative retrospective (2007-2017) multicenter study which included 145 patients with locally advanced RCC ± IVCT: 99 radical nephrectomies vs. 46 radical nephrectomies with IPRAE identified in the prospective UroCCR national database (CNIL DR 2013-206; NCT03293563). IPRAE was performed under local anesthesia the day of nephrectomy (< 4 h prior to nephrectomy). The primary endpoint was peroperative blood loss (mL). Secondary outcomes were: tolerance of embolization (pain visual scale), success rate of IPRAE defined by complete devascularization of the kidney, perioperative complications according to Clavien score and postoperative GFR.

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of IPRAE and the control groups were similar. Tumor staging was 14% T2b, 41% T3a, 27% T3b, 13% T3c, 6% T4. The success rate of IPRAE was 98%. Median artery embolizated per patient was 2 (Agochukwu and Shuch in World J Urol 32:581-589, 2014; Marshall et al. in J Urol 139:1166-1172, 1988; Yap et al. in BJU Int 110:1283-1288, 2012;Gill et al. in J Urol. 194:929-938, 2015; Wang et al. in Eur Urol 69:1112-1119, 2016). No severe complications occurred after IPRAE. Postembolization syndrome was reported in 7% (Clavien I-II). Mean peroperative blood losses in the IPRAE and control groups were: 726 ± 118 ml and 1083 ± 114 ml (P = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis that included: age, Karnofsky index, IPRAE (yes vs. no), IVCT (yes vs. no), tumor size and synchronous metastasis, no IPRAE and IVCT were significantly associated with increased peroperative bleeding.

CONCLUSION

IPRAE before nephrectomy for locally advanced and/or IVCT tumors was well tolerated, was associated with lower peroperative bleeding and did not increase the incidence or severity of postoperative complications.

Adjuvant instant preoperative renal artery embolization facilitates the radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy in locally advanced renal cancer with venous thrombus: a retrospective study of 54 cases

Background

The role of renal artery embolization (RAE) in the therapeutic armamentarium is always controversial. The present study aimed to assess the safety and the surgical outcomes of the instant renal artery embolization (I-RAE) prior to nephrectomy and thrombectomy in patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with venous thrombus.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated with nephrectomy and thrombectomy between January 2012 and January 2019. Twenty-four patients were treated with I-RAE before surgery. Thirty patients received surgery alone (non-RAE group). The patient demographics, operation time, blood loss, transfusion requirements, complications, and other surgical parameters were analyzed between the two groups.

Results

The mean tumor size in the I-RAE group was significantly larger than that in the non-RAE group (11.1 cm versus 7.9 cm; p = .001). The mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the I-RAE group compared to that in the non-RAE group (596 ml versus 827 ml; p = .015), and the patients in the non-RAE group were more likely to receive blood transfusion (red blood cell, RBC units, 4 U versus 6 U, p = .025; plasma volume, 200 ml versus 400 ml, p = .01). No differences were found in operative duration, ICU stay, perioperative complications, and length of postoperative hospitalization.

Conclusions

Instant preoperative adjuvant renal artery embolization (I-RAE) is a safe technique. It facilitates nephrectomy and thrombectomy by reducing blood loss, transfusion requirements, and complications of delayed operations, providing urologists with a reliable option for treatment of locally advanced RCC with tumor thrombus.

Robotic renal and adrenal oncologic surgery: A contemporary review

Robot-assisted surgery has evolved over time. Radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy is feasible and safe for level I, II and III thrombus in high volume centers. Though it is feasible for level IV thrombus, this procedure needs a multi-departmental co-operation. However, the safety of robot-assisted procedures in this subset is still unknown. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has been universally approved and found oncologically safe. Robotic adrenalectomy has been increasingly utilized for select cases, especially in bilateral tumors and for retroperitoneal adrenalectomy.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy: A multicentre Indian experience

Objective

To assess feasibility of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RALRN) and inferior vena cava thrombectomy (IVCT) in treating renal tumours with level I–III IVC thrombi and to assess their outcomes.

Patients and methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of RALRN-IVCTs, involving four centres across India, from September 2015 to June 2019. We analysed patients who underwent RALRN-IVCT for level I–III thrombi according to the Mayo classification. The total operative duration with console time, length of hospital stay, preoperative and postoperative creatinine, IVC clamp time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded.

Results

Of the 13 patients that underwent RALRN-IVCT, five had a level I thrombus, seven had level II, and one had a level III thrombus. In all, 11 of the patients had right-sided tumours and the remaining two had left-sided tumours. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 56.5 (12.3) years, the mean (SD) operative time was 329.5 (97.22) min, the mean (SD) console time was 222.5 (70) min, the mean (SD) blood loss was 395 (170) mL, and the mean (SD) IVC clamp time was 19.14 (9.5) min. The mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 7.8 (3.27) days. Of the 13 patients, 12 had clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and one had papillary RCC. The mean (range) follow-up was 19 (4–50) months. One patient had upfront metastasis and two patients developed metastasis, while 10 patients remained disease-free during the follow-up.

Conclusion

With appropriate patient selection, surgical planning and robotic experience, completely intracorporeal robotic level I–III IVCT is feasible and can be performed efficiently. Larger experiences, with longer follow-ups and comparisons with open surgery are needed to confirm these initial outcomes.

Abbreviations

ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; IVC: inferior vena cava; IVCT: inferior vena cava thrombectomy; (RAL)RN: (robot-assisted laparoscopic) radical nephrectomy

Recent advancements of robotic surgery for kidney cancer

Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma has undergone a transformation in recent decades, especially with the dissemination of the robotic platform. Increasingly, larger and more complex renal lesions are now being treated in a minimally invasive fashion. The purpose of this article is to review advances in the use of the robotic approach for treatment of renal cell carcinoma, including nephron-sparing surgery, radical nephrectomy, and cytoreductive nephrectomy.

Treatment options and outcomes for caval thrombectomy and resection for renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a significant predisposition to vascular invasion. Tumor vascular invasion and thrombus are found in the renal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC) in up to 10% to 25% of patients. This study reviewed the current status of radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy for advanced RCC.

METHODS

A two-level search strategy of the literature (MEDLINE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) for relevant articles listed between January 2000 and December 2015 was performed. The review was confined to patients with primary RCC associated with vascular invasion.

RESULTS

Untreated RCC with intravascular thrombus has a median survival of 5 months. Surgical exposure and intervention are tailored to the level of tumor thrombus. The 30-day mortality for radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy is low (1.5%-10%), and the complication rates have been reported to be 18%, 20%, 26%, and 47% for IVC tumor thrombus level I, II, III, and IV disease, respectively. Disease-specific survival ranges from 40% to 60% at 5 years after nephrectomy and removal of the intravascular tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy is an effective cancer control operation that can be safely performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity. Preoperative imaging coupled with perioperative surgical management of the IVC is critical to procedural success and patient outcomes.

Tumor thrombus: incidence, imaging, prognosis and treatment

Intravascular tumor extension, also known as tumor thrombus, can occur in many different types of cancer. Those with the highest proclivity include Wilm's tumor, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The presence of tumor thrombus markedly worsens prognosis and impacts treatment approach. Imaging plays a key role in its diagnosis. Endovascular methods also play a large role in treatment.

[What can/should be treated in kidney tumors and when]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

In the treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma, the lack of randomization in controlled trials on thermal ablation is a major limitation. The latter leads to significant study bias and it ultimately remains unclear whether the improved overall survival in favor of partial nephrectomy can actually be attributed to the treatment method.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

For T1a (≤4 cm) renal cell carcinoma without lymph node and distant metastases, excellent technical and clinical results have been described after imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Low major complication rates, preservation of renal function and three-dimensional confirmation of negative ablation margins (A0 ablation) are the advantages of computed tomography (CT)-guided thermal ablation.

PERFORMANCE

According to the results of controlled (non-randomized) trials on T1a renal cell cancer, the cancer-specific survival rates are comparable between ablative and surgical techniques.

ACHIEVEMENTS

It is high time for prospective randomized controlled trials to define the actual value of percutaneous thermal ablation and partial nephrectomy in the treatment of T1a renal cell carcinoma.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Apart from localized renal cell carcinoma, angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma can be treated by thermal ablation. Transarterial embolization extends the radiological spectrum for the treatment of renal tumors, either as complementary embolization (e. g. before thermal ablation of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma), prophylactic embolization (e. g. angiomyolipoma >6 cm), preoperative embolization (e. g. before laparoscopic partial nephrectomy) or palliative embolization (e. g. in patients with symptomatic macrohematuria due to renal cell carcinoma).

Erythrocytosis caused by giant chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: a case report indicating a 9-year misdiagnosis of polycythemia vera

Background

Erythrocytosis, a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, generally occurs in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and has never been reported in patients with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Case presentation

We report a case of a young man suffering from a giant (22-cm) mass on his left kidney. Because of a history of polycythemia vera, the patient had been treated for the condition for 9 years. Radical nephrectomy was successfully performed, and the postoperative pathologic examination confirmed a diagnosis of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Unexpectedly, the symptom of erythrocytosis disappeared after the surgery. Further examination and analysis were performed, and we finally attributed his erythrocytosis to chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Conclusions

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma could cause erythrocytosis, but the clear-cut mechanism needs further research. Secondary erythrocytosis such as those related with renal tumors should be taken into consideration during the diagnosis of polycythemia vera.

Transarterial embolization of renal tumors improves surgical outcomes: A case series

•

Our study shows transarterial embolization had a decreased in blood loss.

•

TAE allowed high stage tumors of greater average size to be removed.

•

Time to surgery post embolization varied from several hours to one day.

Introduction

Operative treatment of renal tumors can be associated with a high rate of perioperative morbidity related to hemorrhage and injury to adjacent anatomical structures. This morbidity of solid organ surgery is especially prevalent when the lesion involves chronic inflammation or a desmoplastic reaction from a rapidly growing tumor. No consensus on the use of transarterial embolization has been fashioned as the number of prospective studies is small. This study proposes to examine the beneficial effects of selective transarterial embolization of the kidney prior to surgical resection.

Presentation of case

A retrospective case matched review was performed of consecutive nephroureterectomies evaluating outcomes of patients receiving transarterial embolization versus those patients who received no embolization. The records were obtained from University Medical Center of El Paso for the time period of 05/2011–12/2014. Data examined included patient demographics, operative blood loss, operative time, transfusion requirements, and pathology. Previous studies have shown that preoperative embolization of renal tumors resulted in a decreased need for blood transfusion.

Conclusion

Our review showed transarterial embolization had a decrease in blood loss and required no transfusions. It also facilitated a larger and more advanced tumor resection. Our series of patients tolerated transarterial embolization well and had good surgical outcomes. Transarterial embolization of kidneys prior to radical nephroureterectomy results in a safe and uncomplicated operative course with less perioperative morbidity when compared to resection alone.

Management of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in locally advanced renal cell carcinoma

The diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma is accompanied by intravascular tumor thrombus in up to 10% of cases, of which nearly one-third of patients also have concurrent metastatic disease. Surgical resection in the form of radical nephrectomy and caval thrombectomy represents the only option to obtain local control of the disease and is associated with durable oncologic control in approximately half of these patients. The objective of this clinical review is to outline the preoperative evaluation for, and operative management of patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombi involving the inferior vena cava. Cornerstones of the management of these complex patients include obtaining high-quality imaging to characterize the renal mass and tumor thrombus preoperatively, with further intraoperative real-time evaluation using transesophageal echocardiography, careful surgical planning, and a multidisciplinary approach. Operative management of patients with high-level caval thrombi should be undertaken in high-volume centers by surgical teams with capacity for bypass and invasive intraoperative monitoring. In patients with metastatic disease at presentation, cytoreductive nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy may be safely performed with simultaneous metastasectomy if possible. In the absence of level one evidence, neoadjuvant targeted therapy should continue to be viewed as experimental and should be employed under the auspices of a clinical trial. However, in patients with significant risk factors for postoperative complications and mortality, and especially in those with metastatic disease, consultation with medical oncology and frontline targeted therapy may be considered.

EAU guidelines on renal cell carcinoma: 2014 update

CONTEXT

The European Association of Urology Guideline Panel for Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) has prepared evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for RCC management.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an update of the 2010 RCC guideline based on a standardised methodology that is robust, transparent, reproducible, and reliable.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

For the 2014 update, the panel prioritised the following topics: percutaneous biopsy of renal masses, treatment of localised RCC (including surgical and nonsurgical management), lymph node dissection, management of venous thrombus, systemic therapy, and local treatment of metastases, for which evidence synthesis was undertaken based on systematic reviews adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant databases (Medline, Cochrane Library, trial registries, conference proceedings) were searched (January 2000 to November 2013) including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective or controlled studies with a comparator arm. Risk of bias (RoB) assessment and qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the evidence were performed. The remaining sections of the document were updated following a structured literature assessment.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

All chapters of the RCC guideline were updated. For the various systematic reviews, the search identified a total of 10,862 articles. A total of 151 studies reporting on 78,792 patients were eligible for inclusion; where applicable, data from RCTs were included and meta-analyses were performed. For RCTs, there was low RoB across studies; however, clinical and methodological heterogeneity prevented data pooling for most studies. The majority of studies included were retrospective with matched or unmatched cohorts based on single or multi-institutional data or national registries. The exception was for systemic treatment of metastatic RCC, in which several RCTs have been performed, resulting in recommendations based on higher levels of evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2014 guideline has been updated by a multidisciplinary panel using the highest methodological standards, and provides the best and most reliable contemporary evidence base for RCC management.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The European Association of Urology Guideline Panel for Renal Cell Carcinoma has thoroughly evaluated available research data on kidney cancer to establish international standards for the care of kidney cancer patients.

Endovascular intervention in renovascular disease: a pictorial review

Interventional radiologic procedures offer a significant and expanding role in the management of various renovascular diseases including renal artery stenosis, renal artery aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, renal vascular malformations, renal tumours, trauma, and resistant hypertension. In this article, we discuss these entities in the context of currently accepted definitions, incidence, modes of diagnosis, and management as they pertain to the practice of interventional radiology. Particular emphasis is placed on current interventional procedures for managing and treating these diseases as well as emerging procedures and technologies.

• Highlights the literature on renovascular diseases

• Reviewing the role of various interventional procedures in the management of renovascular disease

• Review of imaging techniques in the identification and characterisation of renovascular disease

Role of embolization in the treatment of renal masses

Renal arterial embolization (RAE) performed for the treatment of renal masses has been proven to be a safe and effective technique, with several decades of experience. RAE is well tolerated with few complications, particularly if the time interval from embolization to surgery is reduced to less than 48 hours. Review of the literature suggests that RAE is also extremely effective for palliation of symptoms in the setting of nonoperative advanced stage renal cell carcinoma. In addition, this technique plays a large role in the management of angiomyolipomas that are symptomatic or at risk of spontaneous rupture. To date, RAE has not been evaluated in a randomized controlled setting, which has contributed to its underutilization. All of these potential benefits warrant the need for prospective studies for further validation.

The impact of perioperative blood transfusion on survival after nephrectomy for non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of perioperative blood transfusion (PBT) with survival after nephrectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 2318 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy at Mayo Clinic between 1990 and 2006. PBT was defined as transfusion of allogenic red blood cells during surgery or postoperative hospitalisation. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association of PBT with outcome.

RESULTS

In all, 498 patients (21%) received a PBT. The median (interquartile range) number of units transfused was 3 (2, 5). Patients receiving a PBT were significantly older at surgery (P < 0.001), more likely to be female (P < 0.001), with more frequent symptomatic presentation (P < 0.001), worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P < 0.001), and more frequent adverse pathological features, such as high nuclear grade (P < 0.001), locally-advanced tumour stage (P < 0.001) and lymph node invasion (P < 0.001). The median follow-up was 9.1 years. Receipt of a PBT was associated with adverse 5-year cancer-specific (68% vs 92%; P < 0.001) and overall (56% vs 82%; P < 0.001) survival. On multivariate analyses, PBT remained associated with higher risk of death from any cause (hazard ratio [HR] 1.23; P = 0.02). Among patients who received a PBT, an increasing number of units transfused was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.08; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PBT is associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality after nephrectomy. While external validation is needed, continued efforts to minimise the use of blood products in these patients are warranted.

Surgical management of large renal tumors

The surgical management of patients with renal cell carcinoma has undergone many changes. With equivalent oncologic outcomes and appreciation of the importance of renal functional preservation, the utilization of nephron-sparing partial nephrectomy has increased in recent years. Nevertheless, tumors of larger size continue to be preferentially treated with radical nephrectomy. Here, we present evidence that improvements in techniques and durability of oncologic outcomes has justified the use of nephron sparing to accomplish renal functional preservation even in patients with large renal tumors. In addition, surgical technical considerations when managing such tumors are discussed. Finally, we discuss cytoreductive surgery and the evolving role of systemic targeted therapies in the management of advanced metastatic disease.

Multimodal approach to the endovascular treatment of embolisation or exclusion of the renal arteries and their distal and/or polar branches: personal experience

PURPOSE

This study reviews our experience over the last 10 years with procedures of embolisation and/or exclusion of the renal arteries, their parenchymal branches and the polar arteries [renal artery embolisation (RAE)].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients (19 men and eight women; age range 37-93 years; mean 74 years) underwent RAE. The indications were: symptomatic gross haematuria in nine patients (33.3%) (tumour-related in seven and iatrogenic in two), symptomatic inoperable renal tumour in five (18.5%), large subcapsular or perirenal haematoma in three (11.1%) and aneurysm of the main renal artery in two (7.4%). Eight patients (29.6%) scheduled for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of the abdominal aorta underwent prophylactic embolisation of the renal polar branch arising from the aneurysmal sac or the subrenal aortic neck to prevent the possible revascularisation of the sac. Different embolisation agents were used: coils (17 cases), embolisation particles (14 cases), glue (one case), coated stent (two cases) and mechanical occlusion devices (two cases). In 11 cases, two to three different embolisation agents were used together.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 26/27 patients (96.3%); in one case, embolisation of a polar artery arising from the aneurysmal sac was not possible. One case of gross haematuria recurred 13 months after the procedure and was re-treated with success. There were no cases of major or minor complications.

CONCLUSIONS

RAE is an effective and minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of neoplastic/iatrogenic symptomatic gross haematuria and in the palliative treatment of inoperable renal tumours. One possible new indication is the prophylactic exclusion of the polar artery arising from the neck or the sac of an abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients who are candidates for EVAR. In our experience, we observed very low morbidity and a short hospital stay. This procedure requires the availability of various materials for performing embolisation and experience in their use.

Transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with kidney diseases: an overview of the technical aspects and clinical indications

Therapeutic embolization is defined as the voluntary occlusion of one or several vessels, and this is achieved by inserting material into the lumen to obtain transient or permanent thrombosis in the downstream vascular bed. There are a number of indications for this approach in urological practice, in particular for the patients with parenchymatous or vascular kidney disease. In this review, we present the different embolization techniques and the principally employed occluding agents, and then we present the principal clinical indications and we discuss other pathologies that may benefit from this non-invasive therapy. The complications, side effects and main precautions associated with this approach are also described.