The clinical, pathological and survival data were analyzed for 42 patients with nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma, who visited our department between 1987 and 1992. The factors influencing prognosis were evaluated. There were 33 males and 9 females with an average age of 59.1 years old. Forty-five percent (19 patients) of the cases were detected incidentally. These incidental cases showed a higher survival rate than the cases with symptoms although the difference was not statistically significant. Positive acute phase reactant, clinical stage, grade and type of infiltration were to be considerably predictive factors indicating poor prognosis. Embolization of renal artery for neo -adjuvant therapy could not improve the survival rate. Interferon-alpha for adjuvant therapy did not prolong the survival team clearly.