Collecting Duct Carcinoma: Characteristics and Survival Outcomes From UroCCR Database (CDCSurv UroCCR n°141)

To describe characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal collecting duct carcinoma (RCDC).

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients treated for RCDC and included in the UroCCR database between 2007 and 2023. All tumors had a centralized pathological review by a CARARE network pathologist. Oncologic outcomes for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

A total of 29 patients with RCDC were included. The prevalence of RCDC in the UroCCR database was 0.18% (29/16133). The median age was 63 years (45-81). At diagnosis, 20 (69%) patients were symptomatic and 9 (31%) had a metastatic disease. Partial and radical nephrectomy were performed in respectively 8 (29.6%) and 19 (70.4%) cases. The median CSS were 21 months (95% CI 9.6-32) and median PFS was 7 months (95% CI 3.6-10.3). In the nonmetastatic group, the median CSS was 22 months (95% CI: 6.2-37), and median PFS was 12 months (95% CI: 0-39). Two years estimated PFS and CSS rates were respectively 29.7% and 38%. A localized disease (P = .012) and a tumor size inferior to 4 cm (P = .045) were associated with better oncological outcomes.

RCDC is a rare cancer with poor prognosis, and no treatment has demonstrated a significant improvement in survival. Recurrences are frequent and early. Management is heterogeneous and ineffective. These outcomes reinforce the need to better understand this tumor and evaluate alternative treatments.