title: Evaluation of the RENAL nephrometry scoring system in adopting nephron-sparing surgery for cT1 renal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The RENAL nephrometry scoring system characterizes tumors according to their size, growth pattern, location and nearness to the renal sinus or collecting system. The current study aims to evaluate the RENAL nephrometry scoring system in adopting nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) for cT1 renal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinicopathological data of 200 consecutive patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy (RN) or NSS for clinical stage T1 renal cell cancer at our single institution during 2005-2009 were investigated retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 200 patients, 103 were scheduled for RN, whereas 97 were planned to undergo NSS, 9 of whom actually underwent RN. Those who were planned to undergo NSS were younger and had smaller tumors (p < 0.001). The median RENAL score was significantly lower among those who were originally assigned to NSS (5, range 4-10) versus RN (8, range 4-11) (p < 0.001). Three months after surgery, the renal function of patients who had been scheduled for NSS was significantly better than in those treated by RN (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the RENAL nephrometry scoring system is a useful tool in adopting NSS for cT1 renal cancer and that objective decision-making for NSS was possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan. yosukey17 @ yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yuasa
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urakami
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sukegawa
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitsukawa
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yonese
authors.forename: Iwao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009398:Nephrology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009399:Nephrons / Q000601:surgery*; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies