Mortality and morbidity after cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a population-based study

To test whether the rates of in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions are higher in patients treated with cytoreductive nephrectomy (CNT) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) relative to patients treated with nephrectomy (NT) for non-mRCC.

We assessed 17,688 patients treated with a NT between years 1999 and 2008, within the Florida Inpatient Database. Chi-square and Student t-tests were used to compare the statistical significance of differences in proportions and means, respectively. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses tested the relationship between surgery type (CNT vs. NT) and three end points: in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions.

Overall, 6.0% of patients underwent CNT. The rates of in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions were 2.4, 26.5, and 24.3% in CNT patients versus 0.9, 18.9, and 11.1% in NT patients. At multivariable analyses, CNT patients demonstrated a 2.0-, 1.3-, and 2.4-fold higher risk of in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions (all P < 0.001). Similarly, more advanced age, comorbidity, and the cumulative number of secondary surgical procedures were independent predictors of a higher risk of in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions (all P < 0.001).

The rate of in-hospital mortality, complications, and transfusions is higher in patients treated with CNT relative to NT. Older age, higher comorbidity, and the necessity of secondary surgical procedures further increases the risk of all aforementioned end points. Physicians should consider these observations during the planning of a CNT, and patients should be informed accordingly.