Long-term Renal Function Outcomes After Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy for Primary Renal Cell Carcinoma Including Patients with a Solitary Kidney: A Report from the International Radiosurgery Oncology Consortium of the Kidney

Abstract

Background and objective

Renal function preservation is particularly important following nonoperative treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) since patients are often older with medical comorbidities. Our objective was to report long-term renal function outcomes after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) including patients with a solitary kidney.

Methods

Patients with primary RCC treated with SABR with ≥2 yr of follow-up at 12 International Radiosurgery Consortium for Kidney institutions were included. Renal function was measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Key findings and limitations

In total, 190 patients (56 with a solitary kidney) underwent SABR and were followed for a median of 5.0 yr (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.4–6.8). In patients with a solitary kidney versus bilateral kidneys, pre-SABR eGFR (mean [standard deviation]) was 61.1 (23.2) versus 58.0 (22.3) ml/min (p = 0.32) and the median tumor size was 3.65 cm (IQR: 2.59–4.50 cm) versus 4.00 cm (IQR: 3.00–5.00 cm; p = 0.026). At 5 yr after SABR, eGFR decreased by –14.5 (7.6) and –13.3 (15.9) ml/min (p = 0.67), respectively, and there were similar rates of post-SABR dialysis (3.6% [n = 2/56] vs 3.7% [n = 5/134]). A multivariable analysis demonstrated that increasing tumor size (odds ratio [OR] per 1 cm: 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14–2.16, p = 0.0055) and baseline eGFR (OR per 10 ml/min: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02–1.66, p = 0.034) were associated with an eGFR decline of ≥15 ml/min at 1 yr.

Conclusions and clinical implications

With long-term follow-up after SABR, kidney function decline remains moderate, with no observed difference between patients with a solitary kidney and bilateral kidneys. Tumor size and baseline eGFR are dominant factors predictive of long-term renal function decline.

Patient summary

With long-term follow-up, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) yields moderate long-term renal function decline and low dialysis rates even in patients with a solitary kidney. SABR thus represents a promising noninvasive, nephron-sparing option for patients with localized renal cell carcinoma.