In this retrospective study, published in Science Direct this month, researchers were looking to identify the factors that would help to predict whether the cancer would come back after surgical removal of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastases (metastasectomy). Complete metastasectomy is expected to improve the survival of patients with metastatic RCC. However, for many patients the cancer comes back (recurrence), despite complete removal of the cancer with surgery. This study looks at recurrence-free survival (RFS) and the factors that could predict recurrence after complete metastasectomy.

Fifty-one (51) patients with metastatic RCC were included in this study. All patients had complete metastasectomy. Median recurrence-free survival was 22 months. The recurrence-free survival was 45% at 2 years and 25% at 5 years following metastasectomy. The 2- and 5-year cancer-specific survival rates were 98% and 82%, respectively.

In conclusion, the researchers found that patients who had had removal of multiple metastases, and patients with sarcomatoid RCC had significantly higher risks for recurrence of their cancer.

Read more in Science Direct here