Purpose of review: Several novel treatment modalities have been introduced for patients across all renal cell carcinoma stages. Observation or a variety of minimally invasive approaches can be applied to small renal masses. Conversely, aggressive loco-regional resections may be performed for locally advanced disease. Cytoreductive partial nephrectomy has become an alternative to radical nephrectomy. Finally, targeted therapies improve cancer control in unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The variety of modes and stages at presentation and the number of treatment options may render medical decision-making highly complex. Various prognostic models and nomograms can assist with treatment decision-making in patients with renal cell carcinoma.
Recent findings: The multivariable risk-factor approach to renal cell carcinoma-specific mortality has been pioneered. In 1999 was proposed a multivariate model for prediction of individual survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Since then several prenephrectomy and postnephrectomy models have been developed. These models can be distinguished according to their target populations, discriminant properties (accuracy of predictions) and confirmed validity within independent cohorts.
Summary: We give a comparative outline of these model characteristics within existing tools. Our work provides the clinician with a complete list of such tools, including comparisons of their relative advantages and disadvantages.