Haematological abnormalities in kidney tumours

The main haematological parameters, particularly haemoglobin concentration and the numbers of leukocytes and platelets, were studied in 146 kidney tumour patients. Only 119 of the subjects studied later underwent nephrectomy. In 66 patients the tumours were limited to within the renal capsule (group I) while in 39 other subjects the tumours had gone beyond this limit and had invaded the perirenal tissue (group II). 27 patients had metastasis at one or more sites (group III). In the remaining 14 subjects group IV) without proven metastasis, the surgical staging was not available, since because of cachexia they had not undergone nephrectomy. More frequent signs were: anaemia (Hb < 12 g/dl), mainly normochromic, found in a high percentage of cases (41% in group I, 59% in group II, 74% in group III, 79% in group IV) and leukocytosis (G.B. > 8000/mm3: 38% in group I, 51% in group II, 37% in group III, 50% in group IV). Mild thrombocytosis (P = 350,500 x 103/mm3) was found with notable frequency mainly in groups II and groups III (20% and 18%, respectively). On the other hand leukopenia (G.B. < 3500 per mm3) and thrombocytopenia (P < 140 x 103 per mm3) were rather rare. The results of our study are also discussed in relation to the main findings in the literature.