Among renal transplant recipients, renal cell carcinoma in the native kidneys represents
the most common solid tumor. At the Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology
of Semmelweis University annual control abdominal ultrasound examination is recommended
for transplant patients. Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ultrasound
screening program at our institute and to learn about the characteristics of shrunken
kidney tumors.Retrospectively, we processed the results of abdominal and pelvic ultrasound
examinations of 1687 kidney transplant patients, which were performed at our institute
between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016.A total of 26 tumors were detected during
the abovementioned period of time, of which 18 were renal cancers. Renal cancer was
significantly (P = 0.029) more common in men. Seventeen renal cancers were classified
as stage I and one as stage IV disease. The mean time of dialysis was 37.73 ± 24.37
months. The mean time between kidney transplantation and tumor recognition was 7.9
± 6.29 years. The 5-year survival was 66%; however, it should be noted that only 1
patient lost his life due to his tumor disease. The mean time between the last 2 ultrasound
examinations was 27.8 ± 23.89 months. Only 57% of tumors were detected by screening.
No significant differences in tumor size, stage, and survival could be detected between
screened and nonscreened renal cancer patients.Ultrasound examination at least every
2 years is an effective tool for the early detection of renal cell carcinoma of the
shrunken kidneys.
