The incidence and implications of renal cell carcinoma in cadaveric renal transplants at the time of organ recovery

Background. With the exception of primary central nervous system tumors, organ recovery is no longer considered from donors with known malignancy. Because intrathoracic and intraabdominal organs are usually recovered before the kidneys, we examined the incidence of renal cell carcinoma in cadaveric donor kidneys at the time of organ recovery. This would establish the theoretical risk of transplanting donor organs from a patient with a known renal malignancy. Methods. In cooperation with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, we reviewed the records of all patients who were cadaveric kidney donors in the state of Louisiana between September 1991 and October 1997. Information was reviewed and analyzed on donor age, sex, race, past medical/surgical history, cause of death, and the findings at the time of organ recovery. Results. A total of 553 consecutive cadaveric donors were identified, with 1106 kidneys recovered. Of the 553 cadaveric donors, 5 (0.9%) were noted to have an incidental renal cell carcinoma. All tumors were identified in separate donors; that is, none of the tumors were bilateral, None of the five donors had documented symptoms; referable to their urinary tract. All tumors were either T1 or T2 by the tumor, node, metastasis classification system, and no evidence of nodal or distant metastatic disease was present. In one case, the contralateral kidney, heart, and liver were transplanted before the tumor was identified. In the remaining four ca,ses, all organs (renal and nonrenal) were discarded. Conclusions, Renal cell carcinoma is rarely found during renal recovery from a cadaveric donor. However, because the kidneys are usually recovered after the intrathoracic and intraabdominal organs, careful palpation of the kidneys and exploration of any abnormalities is mandated to avoid transplanting any organs from a donor with a known renal malignancy.