A review of prognostic pathologic features and algorithms for patients treated surgically for renal cell carcinoma

Accurate subtyping of RCC is critically important and should be considered in algorithms that are developed as prognostic tools for the patient and clinician. The TNM classification, already a powerful prognostic factor, will continue to evolve. The authors recommend that each component of the classification be assessed and reported during pathologic examination. This article also highlighted the importance of assigning a nuclear grade that is based on standardized and reproducible criteria that reflect the heterogeneity of nuclear and nucleolar features within RCC. Lastly, it is increasingly evident that coagulative tumor necrosis and sarcomatoid differentiation are compelling prognostic factors, on par with nuclear grade, and should be assessed routinely. To conclude, the complete list of pathologic features that are evaluated as part of the Mayo Clinic Nephrectomy Registry is presented. The features that are reported routinely in clinical practice also are indicated; this can serve as a guide for the reporting of results from the pathologic examination of RCC.