Renal cell carcinoma: analysis of 31 cases with assessment of endocrine therapy

Thirty-one patients with locally extensive and metastatic renal cell carcinoma were observed over an eight year period. At onset of the disease, symptoms due to metastatic deposits were the most frequent mode of presentation, followed by manifestation of local tumor growth (hematuria, flank pain or palpable mass) and paraneoplastic syndromes. Hormonal therapy with testosterone propionate, a progestational agent or both was assessed in 21 cases. Five instances of tumor regression, two involving recalcification of lytic osseous metastases, were documented. Endocrine studies to elucidate possible mechanisms of hormonal effectiveness were carried out in seven cases. Median survival from diagnosis was ten months. Following the rapid early mortality, a very gradual decrease in survival occurred, with 25% alive at ten years. Factors influencing survival include the duration of the interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and appearance of metastases and the association of certain paraneoplastic syndromes.