In recent years, with the increasing use of ultrasonography and computed tomography(CT), a large number of renal cell carcinoma has been founded incidentally for a variety of occasions. We reviewed 107 cases of renal cell carcinoma treated
surgically
from 1988 to 1995, and compared symptomatically suspected group (62 cases) to incidentally detected group (45 cases). The groups were compared according to stage, grade, tumor sized, age, sex, laterality and survival rate.
The chief imaging methods of detection were ultrasonography (80%), IVP (11%), CT(9%). The main reasons for examination leading to the diagnosis in incidentally detected group were follow-up of other diseases (58%), general health check(31%), and
follow-up of unrelated symptoms(11%). The frequency of incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma was increased from 29%(1988-1991) to 48% (1992-1995). The tumor stage and grade were lower in incidentally detected group than suspected group, and
tumor
size was smaller in incidentally detected group. The 2-year disease free survival rate in incidentally detected group tended to be better(95% vs 68%). So screening test with ultrasonography to detect renal cell carcinoma at an early stage, may be
essential.
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