Radical versus partial nephrectomy for T1 renal cancer: equivalent oncological outcome with better renal preservation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the outcome of radical and partial nephrectomy for T1 renal cancer (≤7 cm) in our centre. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 2005 and December 2010, 38 (44.2%) radical nephrectomies (RN) and 48 (55.8%) partial nephrectomies (PN) were performed for solitary, T1 renal cancer in patients with normal contralateral kidney. GFR was estimated with the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. CKD was defined as GFR lower than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Cox regression model was used to compare overall survival and new onset of CKD. RESULTS: At last follow-up 32 RN patients (84.2%) and 43 PN patients (89.6%) were alive. There was no significant difference in overall survival between RN and PN patients (hazard ratio, 0.673; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.128–3.529; p = 0.64). 1 RN patient (2.6%) developed systemic metastasis. RN patients had significantly higher reduction rate in GFR (35.4% vs 12.6%, p = 0.000), and higher risk in developing CKD (hazard ratio, 6.308; 95% CI, 2.074–19.189, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Relative to RN in managing T1 renal cancer, PN has equivalent survival and oncological clearance, with superiority in renal preservation and lower incidence of new CKD onset. PN should be the treatment of choice for T1 renal cancer.