A case report of left renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium

A case report of left renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium is reported. A 76-year-old woman was found to have a left renal tumor with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava and right atrium by computed tomographic-scanning. Left nephrectomy and removal of an intra-atrial tumor thrombus were performed under a cardiopulmonary bypass. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital 22 days postoperatively. The pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma. After surgery, the patient received interferon-gamma. However, the patient developed lung metastases 26 months after the operation and is currently being observed while receiving interferon-alpha.     

Postpartum renal vein thrombosis with left retroaortic renal vein

An unusual case of thrombosis in a left retroaortic renal vein is presented. Noninvasive radiologic diagnosis is reviewed.     

The initial division of left renal vein in left renal cancer with intracaval tumor thrombus: a case report

A 30-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with a 3-month history of general fatigue and one month history of left flank mass. Computed tomography revealed a huge left renal tumor (20 × 13 × 10 cm) with intracaval tumor thrombus. The tumor thrombus extended into the right atrium. The left renal vein (lt-RV) was expanded 3.5 cm in diameter by the tumor thrombus. The tumor was surrounded by a tortuous dilated capsular vein. The strategic issue was how to ligate the left renal artery (lt-RA) behind the expanded lt-RV. We first divided the lt-RV occluded by the tumor thrombus using a Linear Cutter? and then divided the lt-RA before the dissection of the tumor to avoid excessive bleeding. Even transarterial embolization of lt-RA were to be performed,the tumor was too large to dissect without division of lt-RV and lt RA. After the left kidney was removed,the lower half of the tumor thrombus was excised,clamping the inferior vena cava,three right renal arteries,two right renal veins,and the lumber vein. Finally,we removed the upper half of the tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium through atriotomy and cavotomy under an extracorporeal cardiovascular bypass. Operation time was 9 h 22 m,and total blood loss was 1670 ml. Convalescence was uneventful except for abdominal lymphocele.     

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with splenic vein tumor thrombus: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare, often indolent malignancies. PNET are classified as functional or nonfunctional based on the secretion of hormones without a negative feedback loop; the latter account for up to 60% of PNET. Although PNET are associated with a better prognosis compared to pancreatic adenocarcinomas, they are often diagnosed in advanced stages, making them a significant source of morbidity for patients. Here we present a rare case of venous tumor thrombus arising from a nonfunctional PNET.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 44-year-old woman was referred for evaluation and treatment of a possible tail of pancreas PNET discovered during work-up for a 9 year history of intermittent subcostal pain. Previous endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration revealed a 3.5 cm × 3 cm mass, with cytological diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor. Patient was scheduled for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. During surgery the mass was found to encase the splenic vein leading the surgeon to perform an en bloc distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Pathologic analysis revealed a 1.8 cm × 5 cm tumor thrombus lodged in the splenic vein.

DISCUSSION

Nonfunctional PNET usually present in advanced stages and can be associated with venous tumor thrombi. Preoperative imaging may not accurately predict the presence of venous tumor thrombi.

CONCLUSION

En bloc resection of primary tumor, involved organs and thrombus is the recommended treatment option and often results in long term survival. New multi-modality strategies are needed for detection of venous involvement in nonfunctional PNET to better assist with preoperative planning and counseling.     

Removal of intra-atrial tumor thrombus of renal cell carcinoma: report of a case

A case of left renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending into the vena cava and the right atrium is reported. A 49-year-old female presented with a one month history of palpitation, dyspnea, and leg edema. CT-scanning and angiography revealed a left renal tumor with a tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium. Left nephrectomy and the removal of an intra-atrial tumor thrombus were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was unfavorable and the patient died on the 42nd day after the operation because of multiple organ failure in spite of repeated hemoperfusion. Operative procedure and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium are discussed.     

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy incorporating intraoperative ultrasonography for renal cell carcinoma with renal vein tumor thrombus

The purpose of this study was to describe the technique of laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy incorporating intraoperative, real-time ultrasonography in the management of renal cell carcinoma with level 1 renal vein tumor thrombus. With the patient in a modified flank position, a transperitoneal four-port approach was used to laparoscopically resect an 8.5-cm right renal mass with tumor thrombus extending to, but not into, the inferior vena cava. Early arterial control with gentle traction on the right renal vein provided a short proximal renal venous segment devoid of tumor on laparoscopic inspection. Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography allowed confident identification of the proximal extent of the tumor thrombus. After hilar control, complete resection and intact removal of the renal specimen was performed using standard non-hand-assisted laparoscopic techniques. The actual surgical time was 180 minutes. Surgical resection was successfully performed laparoscopically. No postoperative complications or hospital readmission occurred. Pathologic examination confirmed T3b renal cell carcinoma with negative surgical margins. Laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy incorporating intraoperative, real-time ultrasonography is feasible in the management of renal cell carcinoma with a large-sized level 1 renal vein thrombus. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate its role in urologic oncologic surgery.     

Aortic aneurysm rupture into a retroaortic left renal vein

We report the case of a patient who was transferred to our facility after a CT scan obtained at a local hospital revealed a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm. Review of the scan showed an aorto-left renal vein fistula. Knowing this fistula was present made the operative repair of the aneurysm and control of the fistula much more straightforward than might otherwise have been the case. Although relatively rare, major anomalies of the renal veins and perirenal vena cava should be borne in mind when operating on the abdominal aorta. This case illustrates the merit of contrast-enhanced CT scanning prior to aortic surgery.     

Vena cava tumor thrombus from renal cell carcinoma arising from adrenal vein

Renal cell carcinoma is a highly vascular tumor with the propensity to propagate along venous channels. Vena cava tumor thrombi are reported to occur in approximately 4-10 per cent of cases and requires modification of the standard radical nephrectomy. We report the first 3 cases of vena caval tumor thrombus emanating not from the renal vein, but from the adrenal vein. The recognition of this occurrence is essential in order to avert an intraoperative catastrophe.     

Mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus and bile duct tumor thrombus: A case report

IntroductionWe report the first case of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT), where the extrahepatic bile duct was preserved with thrombectomy.Presentation of caseA 70-year-old male. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the tumor extending from the hepatic hilum to the left hepatic duct with complete obstruction of the left hepatic duct and a defect at the left portal vein. We planned to perform extended left lobectomy, lymph node dissection, extra hepatic bile duct resection and reconstruction based on the diagnosis of mass-forming ICC with left portal vein and left hepatic duct infiltration (cT3N0M0 Stage III). Intraoperative cholangiography revealed a crab claw-like filling defect at the left hepatic duct, which suggested tumor thrombus. Accordingly, we performed thrombectomy. The margin of the left hepatic duct was tumor negative, so we performed extended left lobectomy, lymph node dissection and thrombectomy. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as ICC (pT4N0M0 Stage IVA, vp3, b3). Tumors in the left hepatic duct and left portal vein proved to be tumor thrombus. The postoperative course was uneventful. He is doing well without recurrence.DiscussionThrombectomy is performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus. Furthermore, extrahepatic bile duct resection and reconstruction are recommended for ICC. In this case, intraoperative cholangiography was effective for precisely diagnosing. Thrombectomy could reduce surgical stress and prevent complications.ConclusionsThrombectomy can be a valid option for ICC with tumor thrombus, as well as for HCC.     

Adrenocortical carcinoma versus renal cell carcinoma with vena caval thrombus: A case report and review

Intravascular tumor thrombus may develop in certain malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma and adrenocortical carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is far more common than adrenocortical carcinoma, but it can be difficult to differentiate them. In fact, they have different clinical and radiological features, as well as prognosis. Surgical planning and clinical management between them are different. We report a patient with inferior vena cava thrombus originating from adrenocortical carcinoma mimicking renal cell carcinoma clinically. Case reports and articles about adrenocortical carcinoma are reviewed.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy using intraoperative ultrasonography for left renal cell carcinoma involving a level I renal vein tumor thrombus

This report concerns two male patients, 65 (case 1) and 72 (case 2) years old, with a left renal tumor involving a level I renal vein tumor thrombus, who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy using intraoperative ultrasonography. With the patient in the flank position, a midline supraumbilical hand port and two other ports were placed. Intraoperative ultrasonography identified the extent of the tumor thrombus. After hilar control, complete resection with intact removal was performed. Surgery lasted 305 min for case 1 and 237 min for case 2, with respective estimated blood loss of 410 mL and 572 mL. No postoperative complications occurred. Pathological examination showed a clear cell carcinoma with a level I tumor thrombus and negative surgical margins. Because the ultrasound probe can be easily inserted and the specimen can be extracted safely and intact, hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is practicable and effective for left renal cell carcinoma involving a level I renal vein tumor thrombus.     

肾癌伴静脉癌栓外科治疗的疗效观察

目的探讨外科治疗肾癌伴静脉癌栓患者的预后。方法自1994年8月至2004年7月共33例患者行肾癌根治术及静脉癌栓取出术,其中男性26例、女性7例,中位年龄60岁(20~82岁)。肾静脉癌栓15例,下腔静脉癌栓Ⅰ级(肝下水平)9例、Ⅱ级(肝后水平)5例、Ⅲ级(肝上水平)1例、Ⅳ级(右心房水平)3例。采用Kaplan-Meier方法进行生存分析。结果29例患者得到随访,14例死亡,平均生存(16·4±2·9)个月(1~42个月),15例存活,平均随访(17·3±4·6)个月(3~67个月)。1例患者术后第2天死亡,3例失访。5年生存率为16%。肾静脉癌栓患者平均生存(49·9±9·8)个月,明显高于Ⅰ级下腔静脉癌栓患者的(16·7±1·9)个月(P<0·05)。结论肾癌根治性切除加癌栓取出术是治疗肾癌伴静脉癌栓的有效方法,肾静脉癌栓患者的预后好于腔静脉癌栓患者。     

Initial division of the left renal vein before dissection of left renal vein occluded by intracaval tumor thrombus

Between November 2008 and March 2010, we performed initial division of the left renal vein occluded by the tumor thrombus in six cases of left renal cancer at Toranomon Hospital. The left renal vein was completely occluded by the tumor thrombus in all cases. In order to ligate the left renal artery first behind the dilated left renal vein, we must dissect the left kidney with arterial blood flow. Massive bleeding from the numerous engorged collateral veins around the left kidney is inevitable. Furthermore, access to the left renal artery is difficult because of the large tumor. We therefore initially divided the left renal vein without arterial blood flow followed by division of the left renal artery. After nephrectomy by dissecting the tumor without blood flow we extirpated the intracaval tumor thrombus. The median time of the operation was 7 hours 35 minutes and the median amount of blood loss was 2,869 ml. The tumor stage was pT3b in four cases and pT3c in two cases. No complications were observed during and after surgery except for one case of lymphocele and another case of chylous ascites. The initial division of the left renal vein is considered to be a useful surgical approach in left renal cancer with occluded left renal vein, especially when the tumor is large.     

Macroscopic tumor thrombus in renal cell carcinoma

Prognosis of 114 patients treated for renal cell carcinoma from 1972 to 1988 was investigated to evaluate intravenous tumor extension as a prognostic factor. Those in whom presence or absence of macroscopic tumor thrombus was not confirmed were not included in the current patient group. Tumor stages were evaluated according to TNM criteria except that intravenous tumor thrombus was not counted for local staging. Incidence of T3 and T4 tumors, distant metastasis and grade 3 anaplasia (G3) were higher in V+ group (V1 + V2) than in V0 group, which appeared to be a major difference of background making 5-year actuarial survival rates in V1 and V2 patient groups worse than in V0. Therefore, 5-year actuarial survival rates in N0 and M0 cases receiving radical nephrectomy were compared and found 83.3% in V2 group, 54.4% in V1 and 87.3% in V0. Since V1 group included G3 tumors more frequently than the other two groups, 5-year survival rates were further compared after excluding those with G3 tumors and found to be identical among V0, V1 and V2 groups. The current results indicate that macroscopic intravenous extension of renal cell carcinoma is an accompanied phenomenon secondary to high grade and invasive tumors and therefore, not a primary risk factor for prognosis. Accordingly, it is questionable to regard macroscopic tumor thrombus itself as a risk factor for clinical staging.