Tumor thrombus involving the inferior vena cava in renal malignancy: is there a difference in clinical presentation and outcome among right and left side tumors?

PURPOSE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a propensity to propagate into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). Due to inherent differences in the venous anatomy of the right and left kidneys, tumor thrombus involvement of IVC may vary. The aim of this study is to compare clinical presentation and outcome of right vs. left RCC with IVC thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy between 1997 and 2008 were identified. All relevant data were collected and analyzed. Results: Eight-seven patients were included. Sixty patients (69%) had a rig...