THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RENAL TUMOR SIZE AND METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH VON HIPPEL-LINDAU DISEASE

Abstract

No renal tumor metastases were found in patients with renal tumors less than 3 cm in diameter. We advocate a 3 cm threshold for parenchymal sparing surgery in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease to decrease the risk of metastatic disease while preserving renal function, avoiding or delaying the need for dialysis and/or renal transplant, and decreasing the number of operations which a patient may undergo. We stress the importance of early screening in the kindred of patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and vigilant followup thereafter.