Patients with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus in a Tertiary Hospital in Manila, Philippines: A Case Series

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma extends into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) in approximately 10% of cases where complete surgical resection is the only curative treatment. This study aims to enhance our understanding of characteristics, diagnostic processes, and treatment outcomes associated with IVC tumor thrombi from our patient population. This provides a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge, which will help bridge the gap in evidence-based practice concerning IVC tumor thrombi. This retrospective descriptive study provides comprehensive exploration into cases diagnosed with IVC tumor thrombus in a tertiary hospital in a third world country. Patients with IVC tumor thrombus admitted in University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) Department of Surgery. Five specific cases of IVC tumor thrombus were investigated further by whole abdominal CT scan, which were managed by nephrectomy followed by IVC tumor thrombectomy which allowed them to have longer survival outcomes. The central theme revolves around the mainstay treatment for IVC tumor thrombus—IVC thrombectomy and utilization of whole abdominal CT scans, thereby offering long-term survival outcomes. This insight contributes to specific understanding of IVC tumor thrombus in hospitals in third world countries as well as for clinicians globally, potentially influencing treatment approaches and patient outcomes in similar clinical scenarios.