Impact of lymphadenectomy in management of renal cell carcinoma

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of regional lymphadenectomy as part of a management plan on morbidity, morbidity and survival in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Patients and methodsA retrospective study reviewing 158 cases diagnosed as RCC at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo university, Egypt, during the time period from 2000 to 2007. Histopathological data and significant operative and postoperative events were retrieved to compare three lymphadenectomy groups; Group A, where more than 5 nodes were dissected, Group B where 5 or less nodes were dissected and Group C where no nodal dissection was done.ResultsMore positive lymph nodes were seen in group A (37.8%) compared to group B (9.6%) (p = 0.002). Lymph node positivity was significantly associated with higher grade (p = 0.005), but not with larger tumor size (p = 0.221). There was no significant difference in overall survival between the three lymphadenectomy groups (p = 0.163). Overall survival was not significantly affected by lymph node status (p = 0.585).ConclusionRegional lymphadenectomy in RCC has no impact on the mortality or morbidity.