[Early sonographic recognition of renal cell carcinoma]

Of 19 patients with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed by ultrasound, nine already had symptoms of the tumor at the time; in the other ten it was discovered by chance during an upper-abdominal ultrasound screening. The latter group differed from the former by a lower average age (52.7 compared with 63.1 years), lower mean tumor size (4.5 and 7.0 cm, respectively), less advanced tumor stage, further course with fewer complications, and higher survival rate. The findings underline the great importance of routine abdominal ultrasound screening in the early diagnosis of tumors.