Renal Cell Carcinoma Flashcards
What limitation does an MRI have when investigating kidney tumours?
It can not be used to evaluate the chest. CT is needed for that.
What are the most common types of kidney tumours?
Renal cell carcinoma ~90%
Oncocytoma ~5%
Angiomyolipoma ~2-3%
What types of renal cell carcinomas are they and how common are they?
Clear cell 85%
Papillary 10%
Chromophobe 5%
Should you perform a biopsy before deciding on active surveillance of a small renal mass?
No
How often is an oncocytoma mis-diagnosed when a biopsy is performed?
In 35,4% of the cases
How do you differentiate between an onocytoma and RCC?
Imaging characteristicts are unreliable
Biopsy only gives the right diagnosis in 64,6% of the cases
= there is no reliable way
At what size can you consider intervention of an angiomyolipoma?
> 4 cm though the evidence is weak
Bosniak I
Simple cyst
Bosniak II
Mildly complex benign cyst
Bosniak IIF
Moderately complex cyst
Follow-up som are malignant
Bosniak III
Indeterminate complex cyst
Over 50% are malignant
Surgery or active surveillance
Bosniak IV
Complex cystic mass
most are malignant
How many partial nefrektomies do you have to perform a year for good results (hospital volume)?
35-40 cases
18-20 in robot
When resecting a kidney tumour, which tumours do you have to clamp arteries and veins both?
Centrally located tumours
In what ways are Ablative therapies better than partial nephrectomies?
Less decline of renal function over 6-months
Less decline of renal function at long term follow up
Why is Ablative therapies not recommended when compared to partial nephrectomies?
Higher risk of local recurrence
Worse overall survival
What is the benefit of laprascopic radical nephrectomy vs open surgery?
Lower morbidity
How does renal cell carcinoma most commonly spread?
Haematogenous spread
What is the role of lymph node dissection (LND) in treating renal cancer?
LND is not standard
Can be considered in high risk tumours but evidence is weak
When is radical nephrectomy including a thrombectomy indicated?
When there is a vena cava thromb and staging is N0M0
After a radical nephrectomy, should you offer adjuvant therapy?
No
trials are ongoing if you could offer neadjuvant immunetherapy
What are the most frequent sites for metastases of RCC?
Lung 54%
lymph nodes 22%
bone 20%
What is the recurrence of non metastatic RCC?
20% inom 5år
When is cytoreductive nephrectomy (CR NE) indicated in Clear cell RCC?
Good performance status who do not require systemic therapy
Oligometastases when complete local treatment of the metastases can be achieved
Metastasectomy for RCC is indicated:
If complete and a favourable risk profile
What is the result of a complete resection of metastases in mRCC in 5-year cancer specific-survival?
74% in pulmonary
33% in extrapulmonary metastases
How do you treat brain or bone metastases of RCC?
stereotactic radiotherapy
Can you treat retroperitoneal recurrence of RCC?
Aggressive surgical resection offers potential cure in a substantial number of patients with retroperitoneal recurrence
What is a TKI?
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Give a few examples of Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TIK:s):
Axitinib
Panzopanib
Sorafenib
Sunitinib
Give a few examples of mTOR inhibitors:
Temsirolimus
Everolimus
Give an example of a VEGF antibody:
Bevacizumab
Give a few examples of a PD-1 inhibitor:
Nivolumab
Pembrolizumab
Give a few examples of a PD-L1 inhibitor:
Atezolizumab
Avelumab
Give an example of a drug targeting CTLA-4:
Ipilimumab
What types of immunotherapy are available for the treatment of RCC?
TKI:s mTOR inhibitors VEGF-antibodies PD-1 inhibitors PD-L1 inhibitors drugs targeting CTLA-4
When is cytoreductive nephrectomy (CR NE) indicated in non Clear cell RCC?
Indicated if patient is not a MSKCC poor-risk patient
MSKCC Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer center classification
Renal Mass Staging: T1a, T1b
T1a: < or = 4 cm
T1b: < or = 7 cm
Renal Mass Staging: T2a, T2b
T2a: < or = 10 cm
T2b: >10 cm
Renal Mass Staging: T3a
T3a: renal vein, pelvicalyceal, perirenal/renal sinus fat within Gerota
Renal Mass Staging: T3b
IVC below diaphragm
Renal Mass Staging: T3c
VC above diaphragm
Renal Mass Staging: T4
Outside of Gerota or involving adrenal
Stage I
T1N0M0
Stage II
T2N0M0
Stage III
T3N0-1M0
T1-2N1M0
Stage IV
M1
Postoperative Risk Stratification
Low Risk: pT1 and Grade 1-2
Intermediate Risk: pT1 and Grade 3-4, or pT2 and any G
High Risk: pT3 and any G
Very High Risk: pT4 or pN1, sarcomatoid, rhabdoid, macroscopic R1
*Note, positive final margin should increase risk category by one level and increase clinical vigilance
Evaluation of renal mass:
- Imaging?
- Labs?
- CKD?
Get multi-phase cross sectional imaging (enhancing = greater that 20 HU)
Consider MRI if suspicion for IVC thrombus
Get CT chest for advanced tumors
If malignancy suspected –> CBC, UA, CMP, chest imaging
Solid or Bosniak 3/4 mass: Use GFR to assign CKD stage I-V
- (90+, 60+, 30+, 15+, <15 or Dialysis)
When to consult nephrology?
Consider for eGFR <45, expected postop GFR <30, proteinuria, DM with CKD
When to consult Med Onc?
Concerned for potential clinical mets
Incomplete resection
Consider adjuvant treatment for High Risk (T3 and G) or locally advanced, fully resected cancers
When to consult genetics?
Recommend for age 46 or less, multifocal/bilateral renal masses, whenever the personal/family history suggests a familial renal neoplastic syndrome
When to perform Renal Mass Biopsy (RMB)?
Consider if suspicious for hematologic/metastatic/inflammatory/infectious mass
For solid mass, multiple cores»_space; FNA
PPV ~100%, NPV ~60%, Nondiagnostic ~15%
Partial Nephrectomy:
- When do you prioritize this?
- When do you consider it?
- Surgical considerations?
Prioritize PNx: cT1a (when Tx is indicated), cases with solitary kidney, bilateral tumors, familial RCC, multifocal, severe CKD
Consider PNx: young patients, multifocal masses, increased risk for future CKD (HTN, DM, urolithiasis, morbid obesity)
Surgical considerations: minimize warm ischemia time, prioritize negative margins, consider enucleation if familial RCC, multifocal or severe CKD
When is radical nephrectomy preferred over partial nephrectomy?
Radical only preferred over partial if:
1. High tumor complexity and pNx would be difficult even in experienced hands
2. No preexisting CKD or proteinuria
3. Normal contralateral kidney and new baseline GFR likely to be >45
Consider radical when oncologic potential is suggested by tumor size, RMB, and/or imaging characteristics
When is Thermal Ablation appropriate? How to follow up?
Consider for cT1a <3cm AFTER renal mass biopsy
Radio and cryo are options
Counsel slightly worse outcomes (i.e. local recurrence rates)
Can repeat ablation as needed
Obtain pre and post contrast abdominal imaging within 6 months of ablation, then follow IR postop protocol
When to consider active surveillance? Triggers for intervention?
Consider especially for <2cm, repeat imaging in 3-6 months
Consider RMB for mass with solid component
Individualize surveillance based on growth rate and shared decision making (SDM)
Potential triggers for intervention in healthier patients?
- Growth to >3cm
- >5mm/year of growth
Follow-up labs post-op?
Cr, UA, eGFR –> refer to nephrology PRN
Consider other labs as needed and if advanced disease expected (CBC, LDH, LFTs, Alk Phos, Ca++)
Abdominal imaging after nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy?
Chest imaging?
CT w/ and w/o contrast or MRI for 5 years
Consider switching LR and IR patients to alternating cross sectional imaging and abdominal US
SDM for further imaging after 5 years
LR: yearly for 5 years
IR + TA: 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 (q6m for a year)
HR: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 (q6m for 3 years)
VHR: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60 (every 3 months for a year, then every 6 months to 3 years, then yearly)
Chest imaging: CXR for LR+IR, CT for HR and VHR
SDM after 5 years
What to do when renal artery vasospasm during hilar dissection?
Reduced perfusion
Pale kidney
- Reduce insufflation pressure
- Apply topical papaverine (opium alkaloid antispasmodic vasodilator) to renal hilar vessels
When to consider when using argon gas laparoscopically?
Argon beam will increase abdominal pressure due to addition of argon gas
- Important to vent abdomen via a port to relieve pressure
Interaortocaval nodes only drain the right kidney
They drain the left kidney with advanced disease
Incidence of local recurrence after nephrectomy?
What does this mean for 5 year survival?
Incidence 2.9%
Poor prognosis: 5 year survival 30%
Synchronous mets at the time of recurrence are an independent predictor of poor prognosis
Hand-assisted lap compared to straight lap?
What does this mean for donor nephrectomies?
Hand-assisted lap has higher rates of wound complications (infections and hernias)
In setting of donor nephrectomy, warm ischemia time of donor kidney is reduced because specimen can be quickly removed via hand-port. Other outcomes are similar to straight lap.
Acute bleed following ligation/division of left renal hilum
Think about disruption of a lumbar vein, because this inserted into the renal vein posteriorly
Workflow for urine leak after partial nephrectomy
Start with perc drain placement if drain not already present
If leak persists, make sure drain isn’t directly on leak site, and take off of suction
Place urethral catheter and do RPG + ureteral stent
If unable to place stent, place PCN
Severe, persistent back pain resistant to pain meds after renal surgery
Consider rhabdomyolysis (if pain contralateral to side of surgery, check CK)
Pancreatic injury (if pain is on left following left-sided renal surgery, check amylase and lipase)
Proposed criteria for cytoreductive nephrectomy
Ability to resect >75% of the tumor
No brain mets (need to be treated with radiation or surgery prior to cNx)
Adequate pulmonary and cardiac reserve
ECOG performance status of 0-1
(0=Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction
1=Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature, e.g., light house work, office work)
Predominantly clear-cell histology
Disease has not progressed through systemic therapy (sunitinib)
Vaccinations s/p splenectomy
Indicated due to risk of severe infection with encapsulated bacteria
SHiN - Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis
New lesion with early enhancement and prompt washout at prior tumor site after partial nephrectomy
Get US with doppler to determine pseudoaneurysm vs. recurrence
RCC tumor thrombus levels
0 = renal vein
1 = <2cm into IVC
2 = >2cm into IVC but still below hepatic veins
3 = above hepatic veins but below diaphragm
4 = above diaphragm
3 and 4 may need bypass during sugrery
“Persistent central enhancement”
Tumor recurrence after cryoablation
Ways to optimize (lap) renal cryoablation
Real-time intraop US to monitor progression of cryo lesion
Cryoprobe tip at deepest margin of tumor
Target temperature below -40C
Extend the cryo lesion ~1cm beyond the margin of the tumor
Active double freeze-thaw cycle
Small renal mass(es) are identified in conjunction with widespread LAD outside of typical LN drainage zones
Suspect renal involvement of lymphoma
Perc LN biopsy to determine Tx plan
Renal tumor with high signal on T1 on MRI
Fat in lesion
Think AML
Think a/w tuberous sclerosis
AML = benign tumor of perivascular epithelioid cell origin
MRI sequence most likely to confirm AML
T2 with fat suppression
On CT, suspect AML if negative HU (fat) are mentioned
Angioembolization often effective, particularly in setting of acute bleed
If massive, will need nephrectomy
Drug that can be used to shrink AMLs
Everolimus (Afinitor)
Tumor growth typically resumes when treatment is discontinued
Can watch AMLs when small, can cause problems if >4 cm
Benign tumor in 20yo with elevated peripheral renin
Juxtaglomerular tumor
Tumor secretes renin
patients typically <20yo
Cured with surgery
Rare, extremely aggressive tumor associated with sickle cell trait
Renal medullary carcinoma
- Arises from collecting duct
<100 cases ever
Mean survival <6 months
75% on right side
Central/infiltrative, not amenable to partial
Does not typically respond to chemo/immunotherapies
Treatment for metastatic renal medullary carcinoma
Carboplatin + paclitaxel is first line (not upfront surgical resection)
Gemcitabine + adriamycin is 2nd line
Collecting duct RCC
More aggressive –> younger age of presentation
Resistant to standard chemos for RCC, but sometimes responsive to gemcitabine and cisplatin chemos (behave more like UCC)
Renal pseudotumor
Column of Bertin
Focal cortical hyperplasia
Best established with DMSA scan
How to follow patients with oncocytoma or indeterminate histology on renal mass biopsy
Follow with same imaging protocols used for untreated low risk renal cancers due to risk of substantial growth and risk of inaccurate biopsy results
How to distinguish between oncocytoma and RCC?
Technetium-sestamibi nuclear scanning
- oncocytoma will have high radiotracer uptake
- RCC will have low radiotracer uptake
Preferred regimens for relapse or stage IV metastatic CCRCC (favorable and poor/intermediate risk)
Pembrolizumab + axitinib - Keynote-426
Nivolumab + cabozantinib - CheckMate-9ER
Pembrolizumab + lenvatinib - CLEAR
Cabozantinib monotherapy (CABOSUN) is a preferred option for poor/intermediate risk
Metastatic RCC sites with worst to best prognosis
Brain, liver, bone, LNs, lung, adrenal
What labs do you need to monitor Sunitinib with/for?
Associated with hypothyroidism - get thyroid labs
Renovascular fistulae treatment
- If asymptomatic due to biopsy?
- If asymptomatic due to RCC?
- What symptoms do they cause when symptomatic?
- Cirsoid AV fistula?
- If asymptomatic due to biopsy? 70% will close spontaneously, observe
- If asymptomatic due to RCC? Nephrectomy
- What symptoms do they cause when symptomatic? HTN, hematuria, high output heart failure. Treat with embo, ligation, partial or complete nephrectomy
- Cirsoid AV fistula? Cirsoid means to resemble a varix. These are too complex for angioembolization. Treatment of choice is nephrectomy.
Von Hippel Lindau
- Inheritance pattern?
- Manifestations?
- Gene associated?
- Gene location?
- Leading cause of death in VHL?
- Inheritance pattern? AD
- Manifestations? Hemangioblastomas of retina, cerebellum, medulla (~70%, get brain/spine MRI when diagnosed), cavernous hemangiomas in skin, mucosa and organs, pancreatic masses. About half will develop multiple bilateral RCCs and other tumors associated with deletion of the tumor suppressor gene VHL on 3p
- Gene associated? (VHL (tumor suppressor gene))
- Gene location? Short arm of 3p25
- Leading cause of death in VHL? Kidney cancer
Ipsilateral cysts should be removed at time of partial nephrectomy (when a solid mass is >3 cm) because they can harbor carcinoma
Medication that is FDA approved for treatment of VHL-associated RCC? Mechanism?
Belzutifan (HIF-2a inhibitor)
Common side effects include anemia (from reduced epo), and fatugue
When VHL (a TSG) is deleted, causes constitutive expression of HIF (a transcription factor), which activated angiogenic growth factors (like VEGF, EPO)
Hereditary syndrome with type 1 papillary RCC?
- Gene?
- Location of gene?
Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma
RAre
cMet codes for RTK protein –> papillary RCCs only, no extra-renal findings
Hereditary syndrome with type 2 papillary RCC?
Gene?
Location of gene?
Hereditary leiomyomatosis RCC (HLRCC)
FH gene codes for fumarate hydratase (TSG) –> painful leiomyomas (cutaneous, uterine) + papillary RCC –> bad disease, patients may die young –> start annual screening with contrasted MRI at age 8
Surveillance of tumors not recommended, take them out
1q42
Birt-Hogg-Dube
- Gene?
- Gene location?
- Tumor type?
- Manifestations?
Gene - BHD1
On 17p11
Mutated gene codes for folliculin –> painless fibrofolliculomas (benign)
Bilateral RCCs (chromophobe RCC or oncocytomas)
Lung cysts, risk of pneumothorax
Tuberous Sclerosis
- Inheritance pattern?
- Manifestations?
- AD
Facial lesions (adenoma sebaceum)
Hypopigmented “ash leaf spots” on skin
Cortical and retinal hamartomas
Seizures/epilepsy
Mental retardation
Renal cysts
Renal AMLs
Cardiac rhabdomyomas
Increased incidence of astrocytomas
Incomplete penetrance, variable presentation
Lynch syndrome
- Where are mutations?
- What organs most likely to get cancer?
= Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer
- Genes MLH1, MSH2/6, PMS2
- Colorectal, endometrial, digestive, ovarian, upper tract cancers
Cowden Syndrome
PTEN hamartoma syndrome
PTEN = phosphatase and tensin homolog mutations
–> hamartomas
Endometrial and kidney cancers
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Tumor suppressor p53 mutation
Breast cancer, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma
Neurofibromatosis
Caused by oncogene mutation in MF1 (csome 17) or NF2 (csome 22)
Classically manifests with cafe au lait spots