Screening programs for renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review by the EAU young academic urologists renal cancer working group

World J Urol. 2023 Apr;41(4):929-940. doi: 10.1007/s00345-022-03993-6. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically review studies focused on screening programs for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and provide an exhaustive overview on their clinical impact, potential benefits, and harms.

Methods: A systematic review of the recent English-language literature was conducted according to the European Association of Urology guidelines and the PRISMA statement recommendations (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021283136) using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Risk-of-bias assessment was performed according to the QUality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool.

Results: Overall, nine studies and one clinical trials were included. Eight studies reported results from RCC screening programs involving a total of 159 136 patients and four studies reported screening cost-analysis. The prevalence of RCC ranged between 0.02 and 0.22% and it was associated with the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects; selection of the target population decreased, overall, the screening cost per diagnosis.

Conclusions: Despite an increasing interest in RCC screening programs from patients and clinicians there is a relative lack of studies reporting the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and the optimal modality for RCC screening. Targeting high-risk individuals and/or combining detection of RCC with other health checks represent pragmatic options to improve the cost-effectiveness and reduce the potential harms of RCC screening.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cancer; Imaging; Kidney; Renal cancer; Screening.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / epidemiology
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Urologists