Renal cell carcinoma in uremic acquired renal cystic disease: incidence, detection, and management.

Abstract

Patients with end-stage kidney disease, particularly those treated with dialysis, have an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma may also develop in the native kidneys of renal transplant recipients with good graft function many years after transplantation. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of renal carcinoma among dialysis patients is 3-6 times greater than in the general population. However, annual imaging of the native kidneys of all dialysis patients is not justified because it has not been shown to have a significant effect on patient outcome. Screening may, however, be useful in selected patients with good general medical conditions and who have known risk factors for renal carcinoma.