[A clinical and pathological study of small renal cell carcinomas]

Ten cases of a small renal cell carcinoma having a tumor that was 3 cm or less have been studied both clinically and pathologically. In nine of the 10 cases, the tumor had been detected incidentally, and all 9 were asymptomatic. Renal lesion were diagnosed all of the 10 cases by computed tomography and in 9 cases by ultrasonography. The pathological characteristics of small renal cell carcinoma are characterized by an expansive development, an alveolar structure, a clear cell subtype, a low grade nuclear atypism, and a general lack of infiltration. The postoperative follow up period was 20 months on average, and all patients had survived with no appearance of a new lesion.