Determination of telomerase activity for differential analysis of multifocal renal cell carcinomas

Abstract

Secondary tumors are found in approximately 12 to 22% of all renal cell carcinoma, and their origin is currently unknown. To determine their potential for malignancy, we examined the telomerase activity of primary tumors and secondary lesions, and found that 86% of the lesions had an identical telomerase status as the related primary tumors, and thus probably share their malignancy potential.