Reliability of angiography in the evaluation of renal adenocarcinoma

The accuracy of angiography in TNM classification and its significance in the assessment of prognosis was evaluated in a series of 178 consecutive renal angiograms performed on patients with renal adenocarcinoma. The overall accuracy in the T category was 74.2%. Angiography was reliable in the assessment of the renal vein but not reliable in nodal involvement. Radiographic signs associated with an unfavorable prognosis were an additional vascular supply from sources other than the lumbar artery, nonvisualization of the renal vein and a poorly defined tumor margin.