NEPHRON SPARING SURGERY FOR LOCALIZED RENAL CELL CARCINOMA: IMPACT OF TUMOR SIZE ON PATIENT SURVIVAL, TUMOR RECURRENCE AND TNM STAGING

Abstract

Following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma cancer-free survival is significantly better in patients with tumors 4 cm. or less compared to those with larger tumors. The usefulness of the current TNM staging system can be improved by subdividing T1 tumors into T1a (4 cm. or less) and T1b (4 to 7 cm.).