Prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma

In this study we evaluated some morphological and clinical prognostic factors in 166 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients' ages, sex and localization of the tumor had no effect on survival. Tumor diameter and the weight of the nephrectomy specimen revealed prognostic value. Stage of the tumor, especially the presence of metastasis, is the most important prognostic factor for RCC (p <0.001). Tumor grade had prognostic value (p=0.0146). The survival difference between cell types was not significant (p>0.05). Renal vein invasion, the presence of pseudocapsules and tumor in the intravascular space, mitotic rate, the presence and the number of lymphocytes and macrophages, along with the presence of calcifications had no prognostic value (p>0.05). The presence of necrotic areas was significant (p=0.0102). The patients with "infiltrative growth pattern" showed poorer prognosis than patients with "pushing type growth pattern", regardless of the existence of a pseudo capsule (p=0.0045).