Incidental renal neoplasms: is there a need for routine screening? A Danish single-center epidemiological study

On the basis of associations between tumor size, pathological stage, histological subtype and tumor grade in incidentally detected renal cell carcinoma vs symptomatic renal cell carcinoma, we discussed the need for a screening program of renal cell carcinoma in Denmark. We analyzed a consecutive series of 204 patients with renal tumors in 2011 and 2012. The tumors were classified according to detection mode: symptomatic and incidental and compared to pathological parameters. Eighty-nine patients (44%) were symptomatic, 113 (55%) were incidental. Information was not available in two patients. In the incidental group, the size (p < 0.05), pathological stage (p < 0.001), Fuhrman grading (p < 0.0001) and Leibovich score (p < 0.0001) were lower than in those causing symptoms. Significantly less in the incidental group had metastasis at follow-up (p < 0.0001). Incidentally discovered RCC constitute a major part of kidney tumors. They have a more favorable prognosis than symptomatic tumors and seem to be discovered in an earlier phase. Needle core biopsy is an accurate technique for distinguishing between malignant and benign tumors and is recommendable for smaller incidental tumors. Screening may help detect RCC at an earlier stage.