While partial
nephrectomy can provide effective treatment for selected patients with
renal cell carcinoma, postoperative local
tumor recurs in approximately 10 per cent of the cases. We describe 4 patients in whom
tumor recurred in a solitary renal remnant after partial
nephrectomy for
renal cell carcinoma 1 to 6 years previously. The original
tumor was pathological stage I in 2 patients and stage III in 2. Neither of the patients with stage I
renal cell carcinoma had metastatic disease when locally recurrent
carcinoma was noted. A second partial
nephrectomy was done in these patients and they are alive 1 and 10 years later. Both patients with stage III
renal cell carcinoma also had metastatic disease when locally recurrent
carcinoma was noted. One patient died 1 year later and the other is alive 1 year later. Patients who undergo partial
nephrectomy for
renal cell carcinoma should be followed closely to allow for early detection of local
tumor recurrence. When this occurs, secondary surgical treatment may be possible with complete
tumor excision and the opportunity for extended survival.