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J Clin Pathol 2003;56:374-377 doi:10.1136/jcp.56.5.374
  • Original article

Evaluation of a protocol for examining nephrectomy specimens with renal cell carcinoma

  1. D F R Griffiths1,
  2. N Nind2,
  3. C J O’Brien3,
  4. M Rashid4,
  5. A Verghese5
  1. 1Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
  2. 2Department of Histopathology, Princess of Wales Hospital, Coity Road, Bridgend CF31 1RQ, UK
  3. 3Department of Histopathology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK
  4. 4Department of Histopathology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport NP20 2UB, UK
  5. 5Department of Histopathology, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN2 5LT, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr D F R Griffiths, Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK;
 griffithsdfr{at}cf.ac.uk
  • Accepted 1 January 2003

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the practicality of use and the effectiveness of a standard protocol for examining nephrectomy specimens for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with emphasis on the identification of vascular invasion.

Methods: A standard protocol, devised to identify the major prognostic determinants, was used to examine 79 consecutive tumours submitted to four histopathology departments. The incidence of vascular invasion found was compared with the incidence in a historical series of tumours.

Results: The protocol proved easy to follow, and appeared to increase the incidence of observed vascular invasion (40 of 69 cases compared with 69 of 176 cases in the historical series; p = 0.059, Fishers exact test, one sided)

Conclusions: If pathological prognostic determinants are to be used for clinical management, then it is important that they are identified and recorded consistently. The protocol described provides a method of examining nephrectomy specimens that can be used in routine practice and would probably reliably identify recognised prognostic variables.

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