1.4 The spread of RCC
15–20% of patients have metastatic disease at the primary diagnosis, while 20–30% of patients relapse/develop metastases at a later date after their primary operation (nephrectomy).1
Kidney cancer can spread:
- Locally, where the tumour grows outside the kidney to the renal vein, inferior vena cava (below or above the diaphragm), and/or through the fascia of Gerota or to the bilateral adrenal gland
- Lymphogenic to nearby or distant lymph nodes
- Haematogenous to other organs
A: The most frequent locations for metastases from RCC2,3
PRIMARY AREAS OF METASTASIS AND RCC FREQUENCY
| SITE | FREQUENCY (%) |
|---|---|
| Lungs | 50-60 |
| Lymph nodes | 30-40 |
| Bones | 30-40 |
| Liver | 30-40 |
| Adrenal glands | 20 |
| Other kidney | 10 |
| Brain | 5 |
References
- DaRenCa årsrapport, http://ducg.dk/fileadmin/www.ducg.dk/Nyrecancer/DaRenCa_AArsrapport_2017-18.pdf
- Patard J, Culine S, Ravaud A. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma. I: Lyden D, Welch DR, Psaila B, eds. Cancer Metastasis: Biologic Basis and Therapeutics. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 2011:387–394
- Otaibi MA, Tanguay S. Locally advanced renal cell carcinoma. Can Urol Assoc J. 2007;1(2 Suppl):S55-S61
