Association between local atherosclerosis and renal cell carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
Atherosclerosis induce changes in reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress by hypoxia leading to oxidative DNA damage and therefore it could be expected that the cancer risk in patients with atherosclerotic diseases is increased.


METHODS
The present study therefore aimed to morphometrically compare atherosclerotic changes (e.g., intima-to-media ratio [IMR]) in renal cell cancer (n=514) and tumor-negative renal specimens (n=70).


RESULTS
Renal cell cancer specimens, in contrast to tumor-negative renal specimens, had more advanced atherosclerotic lesions, which moreover in immediately peritumorous (near-field) arteries were more strongly developed than in somewhat more distant (far-field) arteries. IMR >1 was significantly associated with renal cell carcinoma and the odds ratio of having renal cell cancer was significantly higher for patients with an IMR >1.


CONCLUSIONS
Local atherosclerosis was more pronounced in tumor-positive than in tumor-negative renal specimens with significant association between IMR > 1 and renal cancer. This finding encourages the hypothesis of atherosclerosis causing oxidative stress as a potential risk factor for the development of renal cell cancer.
Hager
Martina
M
Department of Pathology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. hager.martina@gmx.at
Mikuz
Gregor
G
Kolbitsch
Christian
C
Moser
Patrizia Lucia
PL
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors