Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort

Abstract Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) poses a substantial public health challenge globally; however, there is limited information available regarding its clinicopathological characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes in Tanzania. The study aimed to describe the clinicopathological...

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Main Authors: Damian Kisenha, Meshack Brighton, Daniel Kitua, Fransia Arda, Ally Mwanga, Gabriel Mtaturu, Nashivai Kivuyo, Mungeni Misidai, Charles Mkony
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:African Journal of Urology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00518-6
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author Damian Kisenha
Meshack Brighton
Daniel Kitua
Fransia Arda
Ally Mwanga
Gabriel Mtaturu
Nashivai Kivuyo
Mungeni Misidai
Charles Mkony
author_facet Damian Kisenha
Meshack Brighton
Daniel Kitua
Fransia Arda
Ally Mwanga
Gabriel Mtaturu
Nashivai Kivuyo
Mungeni Misidai
Charles Mkony
author_sort Damian Kisenha
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) poses a substantial public health challenge globally; however, there is limited information available regarding its clinicopathological characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes in Tanzania. The study aimed to describe the clinicopathological profiles and determine survival outcomes of patients with RCC at a quaternary health facility, the highest referral level in Tanzania. Methodology This retrospective cohort study was conducted in January 2024 among patients diagnosed with RCC and treated at the Urology Department of Muhimbili National Hospital. Clinical, demographic, treatment, and survival data were collected from medical records and through consecutive sampling of patients treated between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, by contacting patients or their next of kin. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and medians. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to assess associations between predictor variables and survival. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study included 70 patients, with a mean age of 54 ± 17 years and a slight male predominance (54.3%). A significant proportion (34.3%) presented with advanced-stage disease (stage IV). The primary treatment modality was nephrectomy (84%), while the rest received non-surgical care. The common histological variants were clear cell (21.4%) and papillary carcinoma (20%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.4%, and the 5-year survival rate was 17.1%. Demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics did not show significant associations with survival outcomes (p > 0.05). Conclusion The study underscores a high mortality rate and the prevalence of advanced-stage RCC at the time of diagnosis, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to enhance early detection and timely intervention to improve survival outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-a83c248e40a644aa802df3e13b6b21dc2025-08-20T03:05:05ZengSpringerOpenAfrican Journal of Urology1961-99872025-07-013111710.1186/s12301-025-00518-6Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohortDamian Kisenha0Meshack Brighton1Daniel Kitua2Fransia Arda3Ally Mwanga4Gabriel Mtaturu5Nashivai Kivuyo6Mungeni Misidai7Charles Mkony8Muhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili National HospitalMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesMuhimbili University of Health and Allied SciencesAbstract Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) poses a substantial public health challenge globally; however, there is limited information available regarding its clinicopathological characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes in Tanzania. The study aimed to describe the clinicopathological profiles and determine survival outcomes of patients with RCC at a quaternary health facility, the highest referral level in Tanzania. Methodology This retrospective cohort study was conducted in January 2024 among patients diagnosed with RCC and treated at the Urology Department of Muhimbili National Hospital. Clinical, demographic, treatment, and survival data were collected from medical records and through consecutive sampling of patients treated between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, by contacting patients or their next of kin. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and medians. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to assess associations between predictor variables and survival. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study included 70 patients, with a mean age of 54 ± 17 years and a slight male predominance (54.3%). A significant proportion (34.3%) presented with advanced-stage disease (stage IV). The primary treatment modality was nephrectomy (84%), while the rest received non-surgical care. The common histological variants were clear cell (21.4%) and papillary carcinoma (20%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 11.4%, and the 5-year survival rate was 17.1%. Demographic, clinical, and pathological characteristics did not show significant associations with survival outcomes (p > 0.05). Conclusion The study underscores a high mortality rate and the prevalence of advanced-stage RCC at the time of diagnosis, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to enhance early detection and timely intervention to improve survival outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00518-6CancerNephrectomyPalliative careRenal cell carcinomaSurvival rateTanzania
spellingShingle Damian Kisenha
Meshack Brighton
Daniel Kitua
Fransia Arda
Ally Mwanga
Gabriel Mtaturu
Nashivai Kivuyo
Mungeni Misidai
Charles Mkony
Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
African Journal of Urology
Cancer
Nephrectomy
Palliative care
Renal cell carcinoma
Survival rate
Tanzania
title Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
title_full Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
title_fullStr Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
title_full_unstemmed Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
title_short Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a Tanzanian cohort
title_sort clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with renal cell carcinoma in a tanzanian cohort
topic Cancer
Nephrectomy
Palliative care
Renal cell carcinoma
Survival rate
Tanzania
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-025-00518-6
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