Surgical enucleation for renal cell carcinoma

The results of an enucleative operation in 33 patients with renal carcinoma present bilaterally or in a solitary kidney are reviewed. All of the excised tumors were low grade and the majority of the patients had pathological stage I renal carcinoma. Postoperative followup ranged from 9 to 156 months (mean 45 months). The 3-year actuarial survival rate was 90 per cent. Tumor recurred locally in 2 patients (6 per cent). We conclude that enucleation is a safe technique that can yield excellent tumor control in selected patients with renal carcinoma.