Related Articles

Purpose

To evaluate the difference between radiographic size on computed tomography (CT) and the pathologic size of renal tumors using a contemporary cohort.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 521 patients undergoing surgical resection of a renal mass between 2000 and 2007 who had tumor sizes recorded from both preoperative CT imaging and pathologic evaluation of the tumor specimen. Data regarding histologic tumor type were also extracted. The paired student’s t-test was utilized to compare the mean radiographic size as measured on CT with the mean pathologic size, and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

For all patients, the mean radiographic size and mean pathologic size was 4.79 and 4.69 cm, respectively (p = 0.02). Therefore, on average, radiographic size overestimated pathologic size by 1 mm. In patients with a tumor size of 4 to 7 cm, radiographic size overestimated pathologic size by 0.21 cm (p = 0.007). However, no significant difference was noted in patients with a tumor size of <4 cm or >7 cm.

Conclusions

Using a contemporary cohort of patients, we observed a statistically significant overestimation of renal tumor sizes by CT imaging as compared to pathologic assessment. However, the overall difference between radiographic and pathologic tumor size was 1 mm, suggesting that CT provides an accurate modality with which to estimate renal tumor size.

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of radiologic tumor size for making decisions regarding nephron-sparing surgery of localized renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), we compared tumor size measured by a preoperative radiologic modality with that measured in the pathologic specimen.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2007, a total of 186 patients with pT1 or pT2 RCC underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at our institute. We excluded 11 patients who had preoperative arterial embolization (n=9) or positive surgical margins (n=2), and a total of 175 patients were included in this study. Radiologic size was defined as the largest diameter on computed tomography (CT), and pathologic size was defined as the largest diameter of the surgical specimen of the tumor. We retrospectively analyzed the difference between radiologic and pathologic tumor size.

Results

The radiologic and pathologic tumor sizes did not significantly differ (4.98±2.82 cm vs. 4.55±2.70 cm, respectively, p=0.152). In the subgroup analysis, the size difference was statistically significant only for tumor sizes of less than 6 cm. The size difference was largest in tumors of 3 to 4 cm, for which mean the radiologic size was 0.63±1.19 cm larger than the mean pathologic size (p=0.002). Histologic type had no significant influence on the difference between radiologic and pathologic size.

Conclusions

The tumor size of RCCs in preoperative CT seems to correlate well with pathologic tumor size. However, CT imaging may overestimate the size of a tumor in the small mass group (less than 6 cm). These results should be considered when making decisions about nephron-sparing surgery.

Objective

Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a recently described variety of renal cell carcinoma with characteristic pathologic and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the imaging findings of MCRCCs.

Materials and Methods

Ten adult patients with pathologically proven unilateral MCRCC who underwent renal US and CT were included in this study. The radiologic findings were retrospectively evaluated for cystic content, wall, septum, nodularity, calcification and solid portion by three radiologists who established a consensus. Imaging and postnephrectomy pathologic findings were compared.

Results

All patients were adults (six males and four females) and their ages ranged from 33 to 68 years (mean, 46). On US and CT images, all tumors appeared as well-defined multilocular cystic masses composed of serous or complicated fluid. In all patients, unenhanced CT scans revealed hypodense cystic portions, and in four tumors, due to the presence of hemorrhage or gelatinous fluid, some hyperdense areas were also noted. In no tumor was an expansile solid nodule seen in the thin septa, and in only one was there dystrophic calcification in a septum. Small areas of solid portion constituting less than 10% of the entire lesion were found in six of the ten tumors, and these areas were slightly enhanced on enhanced CT scans. In all patients, imaging and pathologic findings correlated closely.

Conclusion

On US and CT images, MCRCC appeared as a well-defined multilocular cystic mass with serous, proteinaceous or hemorrhagic fluid, with no expansile solid nodules in the thin septa, and sometimes with small slightly enhanced solid areas. Where radiologic examinations demonstrate a cystic renal mass of this kind in adult males, MCRCC should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Purpose

To assess the clinical reliability of the Bosniak IIF category and to determine the proper radiologic follow-up duration and intervals for category IIF complex renal cysts.

Materials and Methods

We studied 201 patients with category IIF renal cysts from January 1996 to January 2011. Renal cyst progression to category III was defined as an increase in complexity of the cyst in follow-up radiologic studies. We monitored radiologic changes and progression of renal cysts during the follow-up period and analyzed the pathologic results of those patients who were treated surgically.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 20 months, only 14 cases (7%) showed evidence of progression to stage III, with a mean time to progression of 11 months (range, 3 to 65 months). There were no significant differences in age, gender, cyst size, or change in cyst size between the progressive and non-progressive groups. Of 12 cases treated surgically, 10 cases (83.3%) showed renal cell carcinoma with pT1 stage, and there was no recurrence during postoperative follow-up of 23 months. Of the 187 patients without radiologic progression, 23 cases were treated surgically, and all of them showed benign cysts.

Conclusions

The IIF category showed significant clinical reliability by a low rate of radiologic progression and a high rate of malignancy in the radiologic progressive group but a low rate of malignancy in the non-progressive group. Although it is hard to decide on a proper follow-up duration because of the variable time to progression, too frequent follow-up study seems to be unnecessary considering that most malignant cases were of a low stage.

Objective:

Data correlating mode of presentation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with pathological prognostic factors is sparse from India. We compared RCC presenting incidentally with those presenting symptomatically with respect to pathological prognostic factors and assessed whether this could serve as a decision making resource for diagnosing small and more favorable tumors.

Materials and Methods:

The data were reviewed for 328 patients operated for renal tumors between January 2000 and October 2008 at our institute. The pathological factors (tumor size, stage, grade, histopathological type) in relation to the mode of presentation were analyzed according to 1997 TNM criteria. Statistical analysis was performed via the chi-square (Fisher exact) and Mann - Whitney U test. The statistical significance level utilized was P < 0.05.

Results:

Among the patients assessed, 93 (28.4%) had incidental diagnosis and 235 (71.6%) had symptomatic presentation. Sex and side distribution was not significantly different in the two groups. Mean tumor size was 5.75 ± 2.73 cm in incidentally detected RCC (IRCC) and 9.32 ± 3.70 (P < 0.001) in symptomatic RCC (SRCC). Stage I and II tumors were significantly greater in IRCC than SRCC (p<0.001 and 0.005 respectively) whereas stage III and IV tumors were significantly less in IRCC than SRCC. There was a predominance of higher grade tumors in SRCC, 50% being higher grades (Fuhrman's grade III and IV) in SRCC than 28.1% in IRCC (P = 0.003). There were 4 tumors with collecting duct histology in SRCC and none in IRCC. Sarcomatoid differentiation was present in 14 and 1 patient in SRCC and IRCC respectively.

Conclusion:

Incidental detection of renal carcinoma as compared to symptomatic tumors is lower in India as compared to western world. Incidental tumors have significantly favorable pathological prognostic factors. Our results might form a basis for further studies on how to pick RCC at an earlier stage.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to set guidelines for the management of renal angiomyolipoma (AML), clinical prognosis according to tumor size, in association with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), multiplicity, radiographic finding, and treatment modality.

Materials and Methods

Between March 1998 and October 2008, 129 out of 254 patients with AML who underwent surgical intervention or angioembolization were enrolled. Diagnosis of AML was determined by the presence of a low attenuated component on CT imaging or by pathological confirmation. Indications of treatment were intractable pain, hematuria, suspicion of malignancy, large tumor size, spontaneous rupture, and radiographically equivocal tumors in which a differential diagnosis was needed to rule out malignancy. Parameters including age, sex, tumor size, multiplicity, radiographic characteristics, association with TSC, and treatment modality were reviewed.

Results

Age at presentation was 50.6 years and mean tumor size was 3.5 cm. Presentation symptoms were flank pain, hematuria, spontaneous rupture, and fatigue. 97 (75.2%) patients were incidentally discovered. 100 (77.5%) were females. 68 (52.7%) underwent nephron-sparing surgery (NSS), 35 (27.1%) radical nephrectomy, and 26 (20.2%) angioembolization. TSC was accompanied in 12 (9.3%) patients. No patient developed renal function impairment during the mean follow-up period of 64.8 months. Patients with TSC presented at a younger age, along with larger, bilateral, and multiple lesions.

Conclusion

Significant differences in clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes were noted in respect to tumor characteristics, association with TSC, and treatment modality. Considering the benign nature of AML, these parameters ought to be considered when deciding upon active surveillance or prophylactic intervention.

Background

Solid pancreatic tumors such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), solid pseudopapillary tumor (SPT), and pancreatic endocrine tumor (PET) may occasionally manifest as cystic lesions. In this study, we have put together our accumulated experience with cystic manifestations of various solid tumors of the pancreas.

Methods

From 2000 to 2006, 376 patients with pancreatic solid tumor resections were reviewed. Ten (2.66%) of these tumors appeared on radiological imaging studies as cystic lesions. We performed a retrospective review of medical records and pathologic findings of these 10 cases.

Results

Of the ten cases in which solid tumors of the pancreas manifested as cystic lesions, six were PDAC with cystic degeneration, two were SPT undergone complete cystic change, one was cystic PET, and one was a cystic schwannoma. The mean tumor size of the cystic portion in PDAC was 7.3 cm, and three patients were diagnosed as 'pseudocyst' with or without cancer. Two SPT were found incidentally in young women and were diagnosed as other cystic neoplasms. One cystic endocrine tumor was preoperatively suspected as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm or mucinous cystic neoplasm.

Conclusions

Cystic changes of pancreas solid tumors are extremely rare. However, the possibility of cystic manifestation of pancreas solid tumors should be kept in mind.

Purpose

To identify size criteria for complex cystic renal masses that can distinguish renal cell carcinoma from benign cysts supplementing the Bosniak classification.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the records of 97 patients who underwent surgery for complex cystic renal masses from January 2001 to April 2010. The pathological results were compared with the lesion sizes measured by preoperative computed tomography and other radiological features (contrast enhancement, irregularities of cyst walls and septa, and calcification) were also obtained for categorization according to the Bosniak renal cyst classification.

Results

Malignancy was significantly associated with cyst size (>2 cm), male gender, and younger patient age (<50 years). According to the Bosniak classification, there was no category I cyst, and all 8 category II cysts were benign. However, 3 of 18 (17%) category IIF cysts, 21 of 39 (54%) category III cysts, and 29 of 32 (90%) category IV cysts were malignant. All category IIF cysts were benign in patients older than 50 years of age.

Conclusion

Many complex cystic renal masses smaller than 2 cm were benign. We suggest that lesion size should be taken into account when formulating treatment plans for complex cystic renal masses.

Purpose

Despite aggressive screening, patients with hereditary renal cancers can present with large, multifocal tumors. We present oncologic outcomes in hereditary renal cell carcinoma patients treated with partial nephrectomy for multifocal solid tumors with the largest lesion greater than 4 cm.

Materials and Methods

Between 1995 and 2008, we identified 58 patients with hereditary RCC treated at our institution with partial nephrectomy for solid tumors greater than 4cm. The data collected included demographic parameters, tumor size, tumor pathology, and laterality. Overall survival and metastasis-free survival were calculated based on the information from the most recent follow up evaluation and imaging.

Results

The cohort included 58 patients consisting of 41 (71%) patients with VHL, 10 (17%) patients with BHD, and 7 (11%) with HPRC. The mean age was 43.7 (range 18–63) and the mean largest tumor size was 5.3 cm (range 4–13). The mean number of resected kidney tumors was 6.4 (range 1–44). There was a predominance of nuclear grade 2 tumors 51 (85%) and a predominance of clear cell histology 44 (73%), followed by papillary type I histology 7 (11.7%). Overall survival of the cohort was 93% and metastasis-free survival was 96.5% at the median follow up of 45 months (range 2–163).

Conclusions

The metastasis-free and overall survival of our patients is similar to those reported in the literature series for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for T1B tumors in the sporadic population. The presence of multifocality does not affect oncologic outcomes at an intermediate follow up. Partial nephrectomy can be offered to hereditary patients presenting with multifocal tumors greater than 4 cm.

Objectives:

To determine whether smaller tumor size is associated with less-aggressiveness in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials and Methods:

Series records of 505 patients diagnosed with RCC were retrospectively reviewed and the data concerning tumor size and pathological information were extracted and analyzed.

Results:

Five hundred and eight RCCs were identified. The mean tumor size was 5.02 ± 2.70 cm. No correlation was detected between the size of tumor and the histological subtype. The overall nuclear grade distribution was 57.1% and 42.9% for low-grade and high-grade disease, respectively. Each 1 cm increase in tumor size was associated with a significant increase in the odds ratio of high-grade disease by 1.46. 91.1% were found low-stage lesions and the odds ratio for the association of high-stage disease with each 1 cm increase in tumor size was 1.67. Multinomial models revealed that each 1 cm increase in the tumor size was associated with a 35% increase in renal capsule involvement and 66% renal vascular invasion. The cut-off point of tumor size in renal vascular invasion was 5.6 cm.

Conclusion:

Tumor size is not an independent predictor for the histological subtype of RCC. However, it is closely correlated to histopathological features, with the indications that the greater the tumor size, the more aggressive potential the RCC is.

It is estimated that a quarter of a million people in the USA are living with kidney cancer. In clinical practice, the response to treatment is monitored by manual measurements of tumor size, which are time consuming and show high intra- and inter-operator variability. We propose a computer-assisted radiology tool to assess renal tumors in contrast-enhanced CT for the management of tumor diagnoses and treatments. The algorithm employs anisotropic diffusion, a combination of fast-marching and geodesic level-sets, and a novel statistical refinement step to adapt to the shape of the lesions. It also quantifies the 3D size, volume and enhancement of the lesion and allows serial management of tumors. The comparison between manual and semi-automated quantifications shows disparity within the limits of inter-observer variability. The automated tumor classification shows great separation between cysts, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) lesions and hereditary papillary renal carcinomas (HPRC) (p < 0.004).

Objectives

The natural history and growth rates of untreated solid enhancing renal tumors is being defined through active surveillance series. Serial radiographic evaluation of patients who are not surgical candidates or refuse surgical treatment provides an opportunity to characterize the growth of untreated enhancing renal tumors. Here we evaluate factors which may help predict for radiographic growth during observation.

Methods and Materials

We reviewed our renal cancer database for enhancing renal masses that were radiographically observed for a period of at least 12 months. Variables examined included patient age, gender, lesion size on presentation, radiographic tumor characteristics, duration of active surveillance, linear growth rate, surgical pathology, development of new renal tumors, and stage progression.

Results

109 patients with 124 sporadic enhancing renal tumors were identified undergoing a period of active surveillance of at least 12 months. Median patient age was 73 years (mean 69.8, range 35–87). 72% (78/109) of patients were males. Median duration of active surveillance was 26 months (mean 33.4, range 12–156). Multifocal disease was present in 9% (10/109) patients on presentation, accounting for 20% (25/124) of all tumors. Tumor size on presentation was a median of 2.0 cm (mean 2.61, range 0.4 – 12.0). Overall median tumor growth rate was 0.21cm/yr (mean 0.28, range −1.4 – 2.47). Observed linear growth rates were independent of patient age, gender, tumor size on presentation, multifocality, and radiographic characteristics (solid versus cystic), p > 0.05. Of the patients initiating a period of active surveillance 36% (39/109) eventually underwent definitive therapy. Malignant pathology was present in 90% (35/39) of patients undergoing treatment. In patients continuing active surveillance (64% (70/109)), 2.9% (2/70) developed de novo renal lesions and 1.4% (1/70) developed metastatic disease.

Conclusions

Currently, no clinical predictors of tumor growth or disease progression have been identified; although, the risk of developing progressive disease over the short term appears low. Clinical and molecular markers of disease progression are needed prior to offering active surveillance to otherwise acceptable surgical candidates.

Kidney cancer occurs in both a hereditary (inherited) and sporadic (non-inherited) form. It is estimated that almost a quarter of a million people in the USA are living with kidney cancer and their number increases with 51,000 diagnosed with the disease every year. In clinical practice, the response to treatment is monitored by manual measurements of tumor size, which are 2D, do not reflect the 3D geometry and enhancement of tumors, and show high intra- and inter-operator variability. We propose a computer-assisted radiology tool to assess renal tumors in contrast-enhanced CT for the management of tumor diagnoses and responses to new treatments. The algorithm employs anisotropic diffusion (for smoothing), a combination of fast-marching and geodesic level-sets (for segmentation), and a novel statistical refinement step to adapt to the shape of the lesions. It also quantifies the 3D size, volume and enhancement of the lesion and allows serial management over time. Tumors are robustly segmented and the comparison between manual and semi-automated quantifications shows disparity within the limits of inter-observer variability. The analysis of lesion enhancement for tumor classification shows great separation between cysts, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome lesions and hereditary papillary renal carcinomas (HPRC) with p-values inferior to 0.004. The results on temporal evaluation of tumors from serial scans illustrate the potential of the method to become an important tool for disease monitoring, drug trials and noninvasive clinical surveillance.

Background

The growth kinetics of untreated solid organ malignancies are not defined. Radiographic active surveillance (AS) of renal tumors in patient unfit or unwilling to undergo intervention provides an opportunity to quantitate the natural history of untreated localized tumors. Here we report the radiographic growth kinetics of renal neoplasms during a period of surveillance.

Methods

We identified patients with enhancing renal masses who were radiographically observed for at least 12 months. Clinical and pathological records were reviewed to determine tumor growth kinetics and clinical outcomes. Tumor growth kinetics were expressed in terms of absolute and relative linear and volumetric growth.

Results

We identified 172 renal tumors in 154 patients under AS. Median tumor diameter and volume on presentation was 2.0 cm (mean 2.5, range 0.4 - 12.0) and 4.18 cm3 (mean 20.0, range 0.0033 – 904). Median duration of follow-up was 24 months (mean 31, range 12 – 156). A significant association between presenting tumor size and proportional growth was noted, with smaller tumors growing faster than larger tumors. 39% (68/173) of tumors underwent delayed intervention and 84% (57/68) were pathologically malignant. Progression to metastatic disease was noted in 1.3% (2/154) of patients.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the association between a tumor’s volume and subsequent growth with smaller tumors exhibiting significantly faster volumetric growth than larger tumors, consistent with Gompertzian kinetics. Surveillance of localized renal tumors is associated with a low rate of disease progression in the intermediate term and suggests potential over-treatment biases in select patients.

Primary renal lymphoma is an uncommon variant of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Manifestations are usually nonspecific hematuria, fever, flank pain, and renal insufficiency. Pathological data are scanty; few reports indicate it has a very poor prognosis. We describe a child with bilateral symmetrically palpable kidneys, low-grade pyrexia, and arthralgia. Clinically, diagnosis was missed partly due to the fact that bilateral large renal tumors commonly produce asymmetric renal swelling, renal dysfunction, and hematuria which were absent in this case and partly due to rarity of the condition. However, radiological investigations combined with renal histology helped in establishing diagnosis in the present case.

Purpose

The incidence of accidentally detected small renal tumors is increasing throughout the world. In this multi-institutional study performed in Korea, histopathological characteristics of contemporarily surgically removed renal tumors were reviewed with emphasis on tumor size.

Materials and Methods

Between January 1995 and May 2005, 1,702 patients with a mean age of 55 years underwent surgical treatment at 14 training hospitals in Korea for radiologically suspected malignant renal tumors. Clinicopathological factors and patient survival were analyzed.

Results

Of the 1,702 tumors, 91.7% were malignant and 8.3% were benign. The percentage of benign tumors was significantly greater among those ≤ 4 cm (13.2%) than those > 4 cm (4.5%) (p < 0.001). Among renal cell carcinoma patients, the percentage of tumors ≤ classed as stage ≥ T3 was significantly less among tumors 4 cm (5.2%) than those > 4 cm (26.8%) (p < 0.001). The percentage of tumors classed as Fuhrman's nuclear grades ≥ 3 was also significantly less among tumors ≤ 4 cm (27.3%) than tumors > 4 cm (50.9%) (p < 0.001). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 82.7%, and T stage (p < 0.001), N stage (p < 0.001), M stage (p = 0.025), and Fuhrman's nuclear (p < 0.001) grade were the only independent predictors of cancer-specific survival.

Conclusion

In renal tumors, small tumor size is prognostic for favorable postsurgical histopathologies such as benign tumors, low T stages, and low Fuhrman's nuclear grades. Our observations are expected to facilitate urologists to adopt function-preserving approach in the planning of surgery for small renal tumors with favorable predicted outcomes.

Purpose: Tumor growth and progression requires multiple steps and genetic alterations. The molecular events that occur as tumors increase in size are unknown. Patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) provide a unique opportunity to study molecular alterations during tumor growth as these patients develop multiple bilateral renal tumors. To better characterize biologic events associated with tumor growth, we evaluated the alterations in gene expression in large versus small renal tumors removed from the same kidney of the same individuals.

Experimental Design: We reviewed pathology reports from patients who underwent partial nephrectomies at the National Cancer Institute for multiple tumors. We identified 11 patients who fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: 1) The patient must have had a surgical resection of more than one solid tumor from the same kidney during the same operation; 2) Among the solid tumors at least one must have been greater than 3 cm in the largest dimension and at least one less than 2 cm; 3) the nuclear Furhman grade for both larger and smaller solid tumors was identical; 4) a portion of each tumor was procured and snap frozen after surgical removal; 5) Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the frozen sample confirmed clear cell carcinoma to be present in at least 80% of the section.

Affymetrix platform and protocol for gene expression arrays were used. RNA from the frozen large and small tumor samples was extracted using Trizol-Chlorophorm method. The RNA was then reverse transcribed, labeled, fragmented, and hybridized on to an Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 array that contains 54,000 probe sets representing 24,568 genes. Analysis included unsupervised clustering and chromosomal analysis. The paired t-test was performed to compare gene expression levels in small and large tumors. P<0.01 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Gene expression profiles were assessed for 22 tumors (11 patients). Upon unsupervised clustering the pairs with larger tumor volume difference clustered separately from pairs with smaller volume difference. Chromosomal analysis revealed few consistent changes other than reduced expression of chromosome 3p25 among all tumors. Paired t-test showed 860 differentially expressed genes in the T1b vs T1a group, a number far greater than expected due to chance alone. When analyzed by gene function, most differences were observed in genes involved in DNA replication and in cytokine signaling.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that as tumors increase in size there is an increasing difference in gene expression. Unsupervised clustering analysis confirms that as the volume difference increases there are a distinct set of genes that are regulated either as a response to a tumor's growth or as an early event that causes the tumor to grow. While we did not observe chromosomal instability, we did note differences in expression of individual transcripts as tumors grew larger.

Accurate clinical staging of oral squamous cell cancer can be quite difficult to achieve especially if nodal involvement is identified. Radiologically-assisted clinical staging is more accurate and informs the clinician of loco-regional and distant metastasis.

In this study, we compared clinical TNM (cTNM) staging (not including ultrasonography) to pathological TNM (pTNM) staging in 245 patients presenting with carcinoma of the oral cavity and the oro-pharyngeal region. Tumour size differences and nodal involvement were highlighted. US reports of the neck were then added to the clinical staging and results compared.

Tumour size was clinically underestimated in 4 T1, 2 T2 and 2 T3 oral diseases. Also 20 patients that were reported as nodal disease free had histological proven N1 or N2 nodal involvement; while 3 patients with cTNM showing N1 disease had histologically proven N2 disease.

Overall the agreement between the 2 systems per 1 site was 86.6% (Kappa agreement = 0.80), per 2 sites 90.0% (Kappa agreement = 0.68) and per 3 sites 90.5% (Kappa agreement 0.62).

An accurate clinical staging is of an utmost importance. It is the corner stone in which the surgical team build the surgical treatment plan and decide whether an adjuvant therapy is required to deal with any possible problem that might arise. The failure to achieve an accurate staging may lead to incomplete surgical planning and hence unforeseen problems that may adversely affect the patient's survival.

Purpose

Pathologic stage is the most accurate prognostic factor of renal cell carcinoma. We evaluated whether perirenal fat infiltration is a significant factor in tumors 7 cm or less in size.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the record of 164 cases of tumors 7 cm or less in size. We divided the patients into two groups according to the presence of perirenal fat infiltration (group A, pT1; group B, pT3a). We evaluated relationships, recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival according to clinicopathologic parameters. Statistical differences were calculated by log-rank test.

Results

A total 131 patients were included in group A, with a mean age of 55.8 years, average tumor size was 4.2 cm, and a mean follow-up period of 43 months. Group B included 33 patients, with a mean age of 55.9 years, an average tumor size of 4.1 cm, and a mean follow-up period of 38 months. There was no significant difference in disease-specific survival; however, recurrence-free survival showed significantly different between two groups (group A: 95.5%, group B: 84.4%).

Conclusion

In this study, perirenal fat infiltration proved to be an independent prognostic factor for predicting disease-free survival in patients with tumors of 7 cm or less in size. Therefore, as this study showed, the presence of perirenal fat infiltration requires stricter follow-up planning, even in small renal cell carcinoma.

Objective

Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are generally regarded as benign tumors with typical radiologic and pathologic findings. However, they sometimes have unusual findings. We have analyzed radiologic findings and pathologic growth patterns on CPPs.

Methods

The study group included 5 male and 5 female patients (age range, 3 months to 58 years : median, 29 years). The study group included 3 pediatric and 7 adult patients. All patients underwent surgery; 9 patients had a gross total resection and 1 patient had a subtotal resection. We analyzed the radiologic findings (location, size, mottle-like appearance, enhancement, calcifications, and hydrocephalus) and pathologic growth patterns (typical papillary, papillary and solid, and papillary and tubular).

Results

The median follow-up duration was 21.3 months (range, 4-47.8 months). There were no recurrences after initial treatment. All patients had benign CPPs. Pediatric CPPs were 3.2 cm masses (range, 2.7-4 cm) with homogeneous enhancement and a mottle-like appearance, which pathologically showed the papillary growth pattern. Hydrocephalus was present in all pediatric patients. Postoperatively, subdural hygroma had occurred in two patients. In adults, CPPs were located in the fourth ventricle in 6 patients and suprasellar area in 1 patient. The size varied from 0.5-4.2 cm. Hydrocephalus and calcifications occurred in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. Three patients showed the heterogeneous enhancement without a mottle-like appearance and pathologically showed combined papillary and solid growth in 2 patients and papillary and tubular growth in one. Postoperatively, two patients with large masses had injuries of the brainstem and underwent shunt procedures for aggravation of hydrocephalus.

Conclusion

CPPs may show unusual radiologic findings, which preoperatively give the difficulty to be differentiated from other tumors. CPPs with unusual radiologic findings showed the combined pathologic growth patterns.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is a rare neoplasm, often unsuspected clinically due to its rarity and ambiguous clinical and radiological features, and hence patients present at advanced stages resulting in poor prognosis. We report here four cases of incidentally diagnosed primary renal squamous cell carcinoma, treated at our hospital over a short span of one year, and review the relevant literature. Mean age of the patients (3 males, 1 female) was 60 years. All suffered from staghorn stones. Interestingly, renal carcinoma was unsuspected clinically in all patients. In one case, a computerised tomography scan showed a suspicious nodule. All underwent nephrectomy for nonfunctioning kidney. In just two cases, tumor was identified on gross examination, while the other two only showed thickened pelvis. Our series emphasises the need for pelvicalyceal biopsy during treatment for long-standing nephrolithiasis, and thorough sampling of the renal pelvis in nephrectomy specimen of such patients.

Breast cancer subgross morphological parameters (disease extent, lesion distribution, and tumor size) provide significant prognostic information and guide therapeutic decisions. Modern multimodality radiological imaging can determine these parameters with increasing accuracy in most patients. Large-format histopathology preserves the spatial relationship of the tumor components and their relationship to the resection margins and has clear advantages over traditional routine pathology techniques. We report a series of 1000 consecutive breast cancer cases worked up with large-format histology with detailed radiological-pathological correlation. We confirmed that breast carcinomas often exhibit complex subgross morphology in both early and advanced stages. Half of the cases were extensive tumors and occupied a tissue space ≥40 mm in its largest dimension. Because both in situ and invasive tumor components may exhibit unifocal, multifocal, and diffuse lesion distribution, 17 different breast cancer growth patterns can be observed. Combining in situ and invasive tumor components, most cases fall into three aggregate growth patterns: unifocal (36%), multifocal (35%), and diffuse (28%). Large-format histology categories of tumor size and disease extent were concordant with radiological measurements in approximately 80% of the cases. Noncalcified, low-grade in situ foci, and invasive tumor foci <5 mm were the most frequent causes of discrepant findings.

Background

The prognostic significance of tumor size in gastric cancer is not well defined. The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic value of tumor size in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a total of 1800 patients with gastric cancer admitted to our hospital between 1997 and 2007. These patients were divided into two groups according to tumor size: small size group (SSG, tumor ≤5 cm) and large size group (LSG, tumor >5 cm). We compared clinico-pathologic features of the two groups and investigated the prognostic factors by performing univariate, multivariate, and stage- stratified analyses according to tumor size.

Results

LSG had more aggressive clinico-pathologic features than SSG. Tumor size was an independent prognostic indicator in patients with gastric cancer. In a stratified-pT, pN, and pTNM analysis, survival of patients with LSG was significantly worse than that of patients with SSG and advanced stage. Tumor size was not a significant predictor of survival in patients with early stage tumors. Large tumor size was associated with shorter survival in patients with stages N0, N1, N2, and N3, and stages I, II, III, and IV.

Conclusions

Tumor size is a simple and practical prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer. Tumor size could supplement clinical staging in the future.

Accurate measurement of breast tumour size determines staging and prognosis. Discrepancies amongst clinical examination (CE), ultrasonography (USG), mammography, pathological examination (PE) and magnetic resonance imaging have been reported. However, few studies have evaluated changes in breast tumour size from the operating table to the laboratory.

Objectives and methods:

A prospective study was designed to assess the intra-operative (IO) tumour size in 29 patients of breast cancer presenting to a tertiary care centre in Delhi and to compare it with CE, USG and PE.

Observations and results:

Twenty-nine patients (mean age: 47 years), presenting with invasive duct carcinoma (stage IIIA: 31%, stage IIB: 28%), were included in the study. Comparison with mean IO (4.2 cm) revealed that both USG and PE underestimated tumour size by a mean of 0.35 cm (8.4%) and 0.45 cm (10.7%), respectively, in most patients. CE tended to overestimate size by 0.82 cm (19.8%). All three modalities showed statistically significant correlation with IO (maximum Pearson’s correlation coefficient for PE=0.937, p<0.001; R2=0.877, maximum for PE). Two-way analysis of variance revealed mean difference in size to be statistically significant (p=0.000) only between CE and IO.

Discussion:

Formalin processing causes changes in tumour dimensions in the breast, causing reduction in tumour size. It may also have a bearing on the assessment of surgical margins in breast conservation surgery. Immediate post-operative measurement of the specimen is ideal. Protocols for specimen fixation should be standardized.

Summary

Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare morphological variant of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with an especially poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to identify clinicopathologic features associated with prognosis, assess whether the percentage of squamous differentiation in pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma is associated with an inferior prognosis, and examine the impact of adjuvant chemoradiation therapy on overall survival. Forty-five (1.2%) of 3651 patients who underwent pancreatic resection at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, between 1986 and 2007 were identified with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with any squamous differentiation. All pathologic specimens were re-reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed on the 38 patients amenable to adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for whom clinical outcome data could be obtained. Median age was 68 years (61% male). Sixty-one percent underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Median tumor size was 5.0 cm. Seventy-six percent of carcinomas were node positive, 37% were margin-positive resections, and 68% had 30% or more squamous differentiation. Median overall survival of the pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma cohort was 10.9 months (range, 2.1-140.6 months; 95% confidence interval, 8.2-12.5 months). Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy was associated with superior overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (P = .005). Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy was associated with improved survival in patients with tumors 3 cm or larger and vascular or perineural invasion (P = .02, .03, .02, respectively). The proportion of squamous differentiation was not associated with median overall survival (<30% versus ≥30%, P = .82). Survival after pancreatic resection of pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma is poor. Treatment with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy is associated with improved survival. The proportion of squamous differentiation in resected pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma specimens does not appear to impact overall survival.