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We determined the frequency of tumor multifocality in patients with renal cortical tumors, characterized clinical and pathological features associated with multifocality and evaluated its effect on patient survival.

Between July 1989 and July 2002, 1,071 radical nephrectomies were performed at our institution. Specimens were examined grossly and microscopically for multifocal tumors. Preoperative imaging was reviewed to determine whether multifocality was suspected prior to operation. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical and pathological factors associated with multifocality.

Of 1,071 radical nephrectomy specimens 57 (5.3%) had pathological evidence of tumor multifocality. Bilateral synchronous renal cortical tumors were present in 6 of the 57 multifocal cases (11%). A total of 19 cases (33%) had evidence of multifocality on preoperative …