DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjs.2026.v12i01.017

Pages: 100-106

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) constitutes 2-3% of cancers worldwide and the majority present in advanced stages in our environment. The aim was to determine the prevalence, demographics, clinical presentation, histological type and management of RCC in our centre. Patients and Methods: Retrospective data from records of patients treated with RCC between January 2012 and December 2021 were analysed. Patients’ age, clinical presentation, investigations, tumour stage, histopathology, treatment, and outcome were documented. Results: Nineteen patients were seen over a ten-year period with age range between 25 and 70 years with peak at 5th decade (mean 47.5 years). The male to female ratio was 1:1.7. The majority of the patients had advanced disease (TNM group stages III and IV). Palpable loin mass (89.5%), flank pain (78.9%) and visible haematuria (47.4%) were the main presenting complaints, with the classic triad seen in 47.3% of patients. Complications included anaemia, hypertension, weight loss, fever, hepatomegaly, leg swelling, cough and bone pains. The histological subtypes seen were clear cell RCC (63.2%), papillary (15.8%), chromophobe (10.5%), sarcomatoid (5.3%) and collecting duct (5.3%). Fifteen patients (78.9%) had radical nephrectomy, while in three patients (15.8%), the tumour was unresectable and inoperable in one patient. Conclusion: Renal cell carcinoma was relatively uncommon in our environment and patients presented in advanced stages with poor outcomes. Clear cell, papillary and chromophobe were the most common histological subtypes. Radical nephrectomy was the mainstay of treatment. Effective preventive measure is to avoid smoking and reduce obesity.