Is elective partial nephrectomy equivalent to radical nephrectomy in patients with clinical T1 renal cell carcinoma : results of a retrospective , comparative , multi-institutional study?
Elective PN is not associated with an increased risk of recurrence and cancer-specific mortality in both cT1a and cT1b tumours. Data from the present study strongly support the use of partial nephrectomy in patients with clinically T1 tumours, according to the current recommendations of the international guidelines.
Robust meta-analytic conclusions and determination of studies warranting new large trials may be more appropriately signaled by consideration of initial interval estimates with prediction intervals. Substantial heterogeneity results in exceedingly wide PIs. More caution should be exercised regarding the conclusions of a meta-analysis.