OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the @entity5 recurrence pattern after radical or nephron-sparing surgery for @entity1358 . Based on this pattern, we suggest a surveillance protocol after surgery. METHODS: The outcome of 200 consecutive @entity1 with @entity1358 ( @entity1358 ) that were operated on between January 1982 and December 1997 was evaluated retrospectively. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 155 @entity1 (77.5%), and nephron-sparing surgery in 45 @entity1 (22.5%). The timing and site of disease recurrence were correlated with parameters of the @entity5 . RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-four @entity1 (62%) had pathological stage T1, 26 (13%) had stage T2, and 50 (25%) had stage T3 (41 stage T3a, 8 stage T3b, and 1 stage T3c). The mean follow-up was 47 months (range 6--169 months). Four @entity1 (3.2%) with stage T1, 6 @entity1 (23%) with T2, and 13 @entity1 (26%) with T3 developed recurrent disease. None of the @entity1 with a stage T1 @entity5 , smaller than 4 cm, had @entity5 recurrence. There were no recurrences after nephron-sparing surgery compared to 23 recurrences (14.8%) among @entity1 after radical nephrectomy (p = 0.01). Only 1 @entity1 who underwent pulmonary lobectomy for asymptomatic @entity3 smaller than 2.5 cm, found by routine chest CT, attained long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of @entity1 after radical nephrectomy for @entity1358 , smaller than 4 cm, is excellent and they do not need radiological follow-up. @entity1 with larger T1 @entity5 , 4--7 cm in diameter, or a higher stage should be followed with CT of the chest and abdomen done every 6 months for 5 years and then annually. Following partial nephrectomy of small @entity703 periodic renal ultrasonography should be done to rule out local recurrence in the operated kidney.

XXXX : evaluation of the 1997 TNM system and recommendations for follow-up after surgery.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'Patients', 'patient'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'primary tumor', 'tumors'] @entity1358 :: ('MESH:D002292', 'Disease') :: ['localized renal cell carcinoma', 'renal cell carcinoma', 'RCC'] @entity3 :: ('MESH:D009362', 'Disease') :: ['metastases'] @entity703 :: ('MESH:D007680', 'Disease') :: ['renal tumors']
@entity1358 :: (MESH:D002292,Disease) :: ['Renal cell carcinoma']
