Clear cell sarcoma kidney: clinical features and outcome

Clear cell sarcoma of kidney (CCSK) is a rare, highly malignant tumor. The clinical features and treatment outcome of 12 patients with CCSK are reported. From 1982 through December 1996, 12 cases of CCSK were seen at the Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, India. Patients were staged according to NWTS III recommendation. They were treated with chemotherapy containing vincristine, actinomycin, and Adriamycin and radiotherapy. The survival curve was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Mass and pain in the abdomen were the presenting symptoms. Male/female ratio was 3:1. Six had stage I, 4 had stage II, and 2 had stage III disease. Of the 12, 10 were evaluable, 6 are alive, and 3 recurred in 9 evaluable. Six patients are alive free of disease 10 to 108 months after diagnosis. The overall survival and disease-free survival of the 10 patients are 64 and 56%. It would appear that combined modality treatment can cure two thirds of children with CCSK. Effective treatment needs to be developed for children who fail after first line treatment.