ABSTRACT

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the ability to grow intraluminally within the renal venous system. The extent of growth can vary from extension just into the renal vein to extension into the inferior vena cava (IVC). The tumour thrombus within the IVC can extend as far as the right atrium. This intracaval extension of tumour thrombus is rather unique, because in the majority, it just extends along the cava without involvement of the wall. It is an intriguing aspect of RCC that in patients with IVC extension, there may be no local invasion or metastatic disease.