Prospective analysis of the incidence of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis in localized renal cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The incidence of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis in renal cell carcinoma was evaluated in a prospective fashion to understand more fully the natural history of this disease.


METHODS
During a 15-month period 128 radical nephrectomies were performed for stages T1 to T3bN0M0 renal cell carcinoma at our institution. Of these specimens 100 adrenal glands were of sufficient integrity to allow for thin sectioning.


RESULTS
Among the 100 adrenal glands 4 adrenal lesions were discovered (2 metastatic renal cell carcinomas and 2 benign adrenal lesions). All 4 lesions were identified preoperatively by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
Our prospective investigation demonstrates that the rate of ipsilateral adrenal metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is approximately 2%, and suggests that when the ipsilateral adrenal gland is well visualized and of normal integrity on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography adrenal sparing nephrectomy may be considered a viable treatment option.
Kletscher
B A
BA
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Qian
J
J
Bostwick
D G
DG
Blute
M L
ML
Zincke
H
H
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed