We propose to conduct a follow-up study of kidney cancer in the high risk region of Central and Eastern Europe. This study would be conducted through the follow-up of a group of patients with kidney cancer that were previously enrolled in the study entitled Occupation, Genetic Susceptibility Kidney Cancer: Central European Case-Control Study, PI Dr. Wong-Ho Chow, OEEB, DCEG, NCI, protocol No. 01-C-N063, a study which is currently out of the field and for which data analyses of the main study are complete. Like the case-control study, the follow-up study would be conducted in six countries, including Romania, Hungary, Poland, Russia, and the Czech Republic. In each study center, cancer-related information will be extracted from vital statistics, cancer registry, and/or medical records to be linked with the previous patient series. If they agree, or if their next-of-kin agrees under the circumstance that the patients are deceased, they or their next-of-kin will also be interviewed with a brief questionnaire. The overall aim is to investigate the role of established and potential determinants of survival by abstracting information from vital statistics, cancer registries, and medical records and by interviewing participating cancer cases or their next-of-kin when possible. We also plan to investigate the role of genetic factors that we hypothesize will affect prognosis and survival among these patients.

First, we will conduct a pilot study to determine the feasibility of collecting survival information including 5-year survival status, date of death, cause of death, and date of last follow-up if alive on 220 cases from the six collaborating centers. Information on 50 cases will be obtained from Olomouc and Moscow and 30 cases from the remaining centers (Bucharest, Prague, Brno, Lodz), using a list of cases provided by the NCI. The feasibility of abstracting additional information including surgical and medical treatment procedures used to treat primary disease, recurrence and progression of primary disease will also be determined. Abstracted information collected and translated into English, in addition to a report describing any obstacles to obtaining information requested will be provided by IARC to the NCI. If we can obtain information from 80% of cases in the feasibility study, we will proceed with the full survival study. The objectives of the main study are: (1) to assess the 5-year survival status of kidney cancer patients in the CEERCC study; (2) to assess prevalence of recurrent disease and progression; (3) to investigate additional patient-, tumor- and genetic determinants of 5-years survival in cases.