Some Aspects Of Renal Tumours With Special Reference To Spontaneous Regression

Abstract

Judicious and adequate therapy for the patient with renal cell cancer requires thoughtful consideration of different sets of circumstances. Age and physical condition of the patient are important, especially the cardiovascular and renal status and pulmonary function. After one decides that the degree of operative risk does not negate surgery in a particular patient, there are four vital factors to consider: (1) prognosis in the treated as contrasted with the untreated patient with renal cell cancer without demonstrable metastases; (2) prognosis in the treated as contrasted with the untreated patient with metastases; (3) the risk of the proposed surgery, especially when it is to include a vigorous attempt to remove all primary and metastatic tumor; and (4) availability of therapeutic alternatives to surgery, such as radiation and chemical therapy. A number of cases of disappearance of metastases following nephrectomy have been documented. Those patients demonstrating spontaneous regression without benefit of nephrectomy are either infrequently observed or not reported.