Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Renal Cell carcinomas(adenocarcinoma of the renal cortex) originate from the proximal renal tubular
epithelium.(1) This was thought to originate from adrenal gland hence the previous misnomer Hypernephroma,
also known as Grawitz tumor and Clear Cell Carcinoma.(1, 2)
In the United States approximately 58,000 cases were diagnosed in 2010 with a subsequent 44% mortality.
In the European Union 84,400 cases were diagnosed in 2012; of these there were 34,000 (40%) related
deaths. RCC has a male predominance with a male to female ratio of 1.5-2:1.(1-3)
Multiple etiological factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma. These include:
smoking, obesity, hypertension and non-aspirin non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Other factors
include acquired polycystic kidney disease.(1-3)
Genetic predisposition to renal cell carcinoma has been identified. 50% of individuals with Von Hippel
Lindau syndrome develop RCC. Individuals with papillary RCC and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome have been
identified among others.(