Cytogenetic, histopathologic, and immunologic studies of multifocal renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND Multifocal tumor areas occurred in 12-22% of patients with renal cell carcinoma. It is unknown whether these tumors have malignant potential and characterize a higher risk for metastases. The performance of nephron-sparing surgery in patients with low grade or low stage tumors is controversial. METHODS Primary and secondary tumors were analyzed by conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-11, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were determined using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bioassays. RESULTS In 15.2% of the renal cell carcinoma cases evaluated, multifocal tumors were detected. Cytogenetics revealed a concordance of primary and secondary tumors in 9 of 14 cases (64%). In 11 of 12 multifocal tumors (94%), the same immunologic activity status was observed in both primary and secondary tumors. CONCLUSIONS Secondary tumors must be expected to have malignant potential similar to that of the primary tumors. This was underscored by the high concordance of cytogenetic, histopathologic, and immunologic data in this study. Cancer 1997; 79:975-81. © 1997 American Cancer Society.