Bosniak category IIF and III cystic renal lesions: outcomes and associations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes, pathologic subtypes, metastatic disease rate, and clinical features associated with malignancy in Bosniak category IIF and III cystic renal lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was institutional review board approved and HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was waived. Radiology and hospital information systems were searched for Bosniak IIF and Bosniak III lesions in computed tomographic (CT) reports from January 1, 1994 to August 31, 2009. Patients 18 years and older with unenhanced and contrast material-enhanced CT results and with lesions either surgically resected or with 1 year or more of surveillance were included. Data recorded were history of renal cell carcinoma, number of renal lesions, presence of a coexistent solid renal mass, surgical pathologic findings, and presence of metastatic disease from a renal malignancy. Sixty-two patients with 69 Bosniak IIF lesions and 131 patients with 144 Bosniak III lesions were identified. Proportions from independent groups were compared by using the Fisher exact test; continuous variables were compared by using a two-tailed two-sample t test or a Wilcoxon two-sample test.

RESULTS: The malignancy rate of resected Bosniak IIF lesions was 25% (four of 16) and that for Bosniak III lesions was 54% (58 of 107) (P = .03). Thirteen percent (nine of 69) of Bosniak IIF lesions progressed at follow-up, and 50% (four of eight) of these resected cysts were malignant. History of primary renal malignancy, coexisting Bosniak category IV lesion and/or solid renal mass, and multiplicity of Bosniak III lesions were each associated with an increased malignancy rate in Bosniak III lesions. No patients developed locally advanced or metastatic disease from a Bosniak IIF or III lesion.

CONCLUSION: Although the malignancy rate in surgically excised Bosniak IIF and Bosniak III cystic renal lesions was 25% and 54%, respectively, in our study, the malignancy rate was higher in patients with a history of primary renal malignancy or coexisting Bosniak IV lesion and/or solid renal neoplasm.