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RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer.

PURPOSE: This research study is looking at tumor tissue samples from patients who have undergone surgery for localized kidney cancer.

OBJECTIVES:

• To identify consistent patterns of VEGF expression, E-cadherin regulation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 activity, and carbonic anhydrase 9 activity as predictive factors in the development of aggressive tumor behavior in tumor tissue samples from patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

OUTLINE: Previously collected tumor tissue samples are examined by immunohistochemistry for levels of expression of five different factors related to aggressive tumor behavior (i.e., VEGF expression, E-cadherin regulation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 activity, and carbonic anhydrase 9 activity). Samples are compared to positive tissue controls (i.e., VEGF- tonsil; E- cadherin-normal breast or endometrium; MMP2- placenta) and a negative control (i.e., isotype matched normal serum) to identify consistent patterns of expression/activity of these factors. Levels of expression are quantified as 5-level scores (0 to 4 scale) and differences between any two areas of a tumor are analyzed.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Tumor tissue samples from patients who recently underwent nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma

  • Harvested from the superior, inferior, left lateral, right lateral, and central portions of resected or discarded tumor measuring 4 cm or less
  • Localized disease (pT1a, N0-Nx, M0)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics

Primary care clinic