Renal cell carcinoma in solitary kidneys

We report 10 cases of renal tumors in a solitary kidney that were treated surgically with efforts to spare renal function. Three patients were rendered anephric to excise completely the renal cancer and 2 remain without disease. The remaining 7 patients had complete tumor excision with the aid of partial nephrectomy. One patient had bilateral oncocytomas. Of the 6 partial nephrectomy patients with cancer 1 (18 per cent) remains free of metastatic disease. Concern is expressed for the role of partial nephrectomy as curative surgery for renal cancer.