Prognostic Significance of Percentage Necrosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Am J Clin Pathol. 2022 Mar 3;157(3):374-380. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqab136.

Abstract

Objectives: The consensus conference of the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP), held in 2012, made recommendations regarding prognostic parameters of renal tumors. There was a strong consensus that tumor morphotype, pathologic tumor stage, and tumor grade are prognostic indicators of poor outcome. It was also agreed upon that prognostic significance of tumor necrosis is in evolution, and both microscopic and macroscopic tumor necrosis should be documented in percentages. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of tumor necrosis on metastasis-free survival in clear cell renal carcinomas (ccRCCs) in Pakistani patients.

Methods: We retrieved 318 consecutive in-house cases of ccRCC resections from 2014 to 2020 through hospital archives. Histologic slide review was done for assessment of tumor necrosis, tumor stage, and World Health Organization/ISUP grade. The follow-up data to assess metastasis-free survival were available in hospital archives.

Results: In multivariable analysis performed by logistic regression model, tumor necrosis was an independent poor prognostic indicator (P = .0001): group 1 (reference group), 0% necrosis; group 2, 1% to 10% necrosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 8.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.62-20.98); and group 3, more than 10% necrosis (AOR, 9.48; 95% CI, 3.99-22.725).

Conclusions: Tumor necrosis is an independent predictor of poor outcome in ccRCCs.

Keywords: Clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs); International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP); Tumor necrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Prognosis