Patterns of Tumor Recurrence and Guidelines for Followup After Nephron Sparing Surgery for Sporadic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Followup for recurrent malignancy after nephron sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma can be tailored according to the initial pathological tumor stage. All patients should be evaluated yearly with a medical history, physical examination and select laboratory studies. Patients with stage T1 renal cell carcinoma require no additional monitoring, while those with stage T2 disease should also undergo a yearly chest x-ray and abdominal CT every 2 years. The same recommendations are offered for patients with stage T3 renal cell carcinoma except that abdominal CT should be done every 6 months for the first 2 years postoperatively.