Active treatment of localized renal tumors may not impact overall survival in patients aged 75 years or older

Abstract

In patients aged > or =75 years, surgical management of clinically localized renal cortical tumors was not associated with increased survival. Patients died mostly of cardiovascular causes, similar to the general elderly population. Nephrectomy accelerated renal dysfunction, which was associated with cardiovascular mortality. Current paradigms suggest that there is over treatment of localized renal tumors, and further study will be required to evaluate the advisability of various options in patients with limited life expectancy.