PURPOSE: We evaluated the differences between radiologically measured size and pathologic size of renal tumors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from 171 patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for a renal tumor at Ajou University Hospital were reviewed. Radiologic tumor size, which was defined as the largest diameter on a computed tomographic scan, was compared with pathologic tumor size, which was defined as the largest diameter on gross pathologic examination.
RESULTS: Mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size for all tumors (p=0.019). When stratified according to radiologic size range, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size for tumors <4 cm="" p="0.003)," but="" there="" was="" no="" significant="" difference="" between="" the="" sizes="" for="" tumors="" 4-7="" and="">7 cm. When classified according to histologic subtype, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size only in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (p=0.002). When classified according to tumor location, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size in endophytic tumors (p=0.043) but not in exophytic tumors. When endophytic tumors were stratified according to radiologic size range, there was a significant difference between the mean radiologic and pathologic sizes for tumors <4 cm="" p="0.073)" but="" not="" for="" tumors="" 4-7="" and="">7 cm (p=0.603).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in planning a nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors, especially for endophytic tumors of less than 4 cm, the tumor size measured on a computed tomography scan should be readjusted to get a more precise estimate of the tumor size.
Written by:
Lee KB, Kim SI, Cho DS, Park SK, Jang HI, Kim SJ Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
Reference: Korean J Urol. 2013 Nov;54(11):738-43 (Epub 2013 Nov 6)
doi: 10.4111/kju.2013.54.11.738
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24255754
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