[Sporadic kidney cancer in patients younger than 45]

The incidence of kidney cancer is constantly increasing. The objective of this study was to report the characteristics of sporadic kidney tumours observed in a population of patients under the age of 45 years and to define prognostic factors based on a 5-year follow-up.

Between 1985 and 2003, 64 patients, with a mean age of 38 +/- 7 years, presenting with sporadic kidney cancer were included in this retrospective study.

Sporadic kidney cancer was discovered incidentally in 39.1% of young adults, predominantly in women. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 57 cases and partial nephrectomy was performed in 5 cases. The distribution by histological type was comparable to that of the general population, but pathological examination of carcinomas showed a high Führman grade in 66% of cases. The mean follow-up was 72 59 months. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival was 79% and 76.7% respectively. The mortality rate was 25%: 13 specific deaths and 3 nonspecific deaths. TNM stage was a prognostic factor on univariate and multivariate analysis. The mode of discovery and the ASA score were also identified as prognostic factors on univariate analysis.

Sporadic kidney cancer is rare in adults before the age of 45 years and presents with symptoms. Earlier detection would allow an improvement of the prognosis.