Clinical treatment and medical evaluation of the aircrew with renal cell carcinoma-6 cases attached

Objective To explore the clinical treatment experience and medical evaluation method for the aircrew with renal cell carcinoma. Methods The medical records of 6 cases of the aircrew with renal cell carcinoma dated from Mar. 2002 to Dec. 2008 were analyzed and related literatures were reviewed. Results Six male aircrew's average age was 47.3(43-54) years.Four tumors were in left kidney and 2 in right.The mean diameter of the tumors was 3.6(1.8-5.2) cm.Five patients didn't show any symptom in annual general health checkup but ultrasound examination indicated.One patient complained flank pain and gross hematuria was observed and renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed by imaging examination. All patients received ultrasound,plain film of kidneys,ureter and bladder (KUB) + intravenous urography (IVU) and CT scan to confirm the final diagnosis.Clinical stage was T1 N0 M0 for all cases and all patients received operations. Radical nephrectomy was performed on 3 cases while nephron-sparing surgery on 1 case and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy on 2 cases.All surgeries were successful and all patients recovered well.The pathological examination showed that all cases were clear cell carcinoma.Three patients got flying qualification and 1 was still in observation.Two patients retired after surgery.By 2-5 years follow-up,no recurrence and metastasis were found. Conclusions Surgery is effective for the aircrew with pristine localized renal cell carcinoma.And it enables the aircrew with satisfied recovery and would be helpful to let them return flying. Key words: Kidney neoplasms;  Diagnosis;  Treatment outcome;  Eligibility determination