The results of therapy for 78 patients with disseminated renal cell carcinoma are evaluated. Symptoms related to the primary tumor were noted in only 28 per cent of the patients and were not difficult to manage in those patients not undergoing nephrectomy. Adjuctive nephrectomy, therefore, is a more appropriate term than palliative nephrectomy when referring to removal of the primary tumor as part of an aggresive combined therapeutic approach. Of patients receiving an adjunctive nephrectomy those with osseous metastases only had a better 1-year survival rate (36 per cent) than those with metastases to other sites (18 per cent). Complete regression of metastases was noted in 12 per cent of patients treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate and adjunctive nephrectomy. The role of adjunctive nephrectomy combined with embolic infarction, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy is discussed.

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During a 20-year period 17 patients underwent partial nephrectomy as primary curative therapy for renal adenocarcinoma. In 15 patients (88 per cent) partial nephrectomy was performed satisfactorily in situ with free margins of resection. Eleven patients are alive (65 per cent) and only 3 (17 per cent) died of recurrent malignant disease. There was no operative mortality and postoperative complications were minimal. A review of the literature reveals that partial nephrectomy is an effective form of therapy for patients with bilateral renal carcinoma or carcinoma occurring in a solitary kidney.