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[Optimal margin in nephron-sparing surgery for renal cell carcinoma 4 cm or less in diameter]

Quan-lin Li1, Hong-wei Guan, Li-zhi Zhang

  • 1Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.

Abstract

Insights

For renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 4 cm or less, a margin exceeding 5 mm during nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is recommended. Enucleation alone increases recurrence risk, especially with incomplete pseudocapsules or high PCNA indices.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Oncology
  • Surgical Pathology

Context:

  • Nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) is a standard treatment for small renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  • Determining the optimal surgical margin is crucial for preventing local recurrence.
  • Previous studies have not definitively established the required margin for complete tumor excision in smaller RCCs.

Purpose:

  • To determine the optimal margin for nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) measuring 4 cm or less.
  • To assess the relationship between pseudocapsule integrity, PCNA expression, and the presence of extra-pseudocapsule cancer lesions.
  • To evaluate the risk of incomplete excision with different surgical margins.

Summary:

  • Analysis of 82 RCCs (≤4 cm) revealed incomplete pseudocapsules in 31.7% and extra-pseudocapsule lesions in 17.1%.
  • The maximum distance of extra-pseudocapsule lesions was 5 mm, suggesting a >5 mm margin is needed.
  • Higher PCNA indices and incomplete pseudocapsules were significant predictors of extra-pseudocapsule spread (P=0.019).

Impact:

  • Findings suggest a >5 mm parenchymal margin is necessary for NSS in small RCCs to minimize recurrence risk.
  • Enucleation alone poses a significant risk of incomplete excision.
  • Patients with incomplete pseudocapsules or high PCNA indices require closer follow-up post-NSS.

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