Differences in other-cause mortality in metastatic renal cell carcinoma according to partial vs. radical nephrectomy and age: A propensity score matched study

Introduction

It is unknown whether the benefit from partial nephrectomy regarding lower other-cause mortality is applicable to older patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods

Using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database, patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy, were stratified according to age (<60, 60–69, and ≥70 years). After propensity score matching, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and multivariable Cox regression models were used.

Results

Of 2,390 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, 885 (37%) were aged <60 years, and 90 (10%) underwent partial nephrectomy; 824 (34%) were aged 60–69 years, and 61 (7%) underwent partial nephrectomy; and 681 (29%) were aged ≥70 years, and 64 (9%) underwent partial nephrectomy. After propensity score matching, in patients aged <60 years, partial nephrectomy was associated with lower other-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.22; p = 0.02); in patients aged 60–69 years, partial nephrectomy was associated with lower other-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.38; p = 0.03); but not in patients aged ≥70 years.

Discussion

In metastatic renal cell carcinoma, partial nephrectomy is associated with lower other-cause mortality in patients aged <60 years and in patients aged 60–69 years, but not in patients aged ≥70 years. In consequence, consideration of partial nephrectomy might be of great value in younger metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients.