Renal cell carcinoma with thrombus in the inferior vena cava: Extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia without open-chest surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma with thrombus in the inferior vena cava and no apparent metastasis requires immediate surgical treatment. Over the last few years, extracorporeal circulation with deep hypothermia and total circulatory arrest have played an increasingly important role in the treatment of diseases not associated with primary cardiovascular disorders, such as cavoatrial tumor thrombus in uterine tumors, adrenal tumors, Wilms' tumor, as well as renal cell carcinoma. Case report: A 78-year-old patient with renal cell carcinoma and tumoral thrombus in the inferior vena cava and above the supra-hepatic veins underwent right radical nephrectomy and removal of the thrombus from the vena cava with extracorporeal circulation and deep hypothermia with total circulatory arrest without opening the chest. The patient presented good post-operative evolution.