Localized renal cell carcinoma of an unusually large size: case report

Renal cell carcinoma has a variable clinical course. Size is a prognostic factor correlated with venous invasion, lymph node or distant metastases. These are more often encountered when the size exceeds 10 cm. For 20 years, incidental renal tumours have represented the majority of diagnosed cases, as a result of more common use of imaging techniques. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma of an unusually large size, without metastatic or locally advanced disease. Histology revealed a pT2 clear cell renal cell carcinoma of 31 x 31 x 10 cm, which was totally resected. It is the first case reported of localized conventional renal cell carcinoma reaching such a size.     

附睾乳头状囊腺瘤伴睾丸萎缩1例报告

附睾乳头状囊腺瘤是一种少见的良性肿瘤 ,可能与vonHippel Lindau综合征并存。本文报告 1例附睾乳头状囊腺瘤病例 ,男性 ,38岁 ,瘤体位于右侧附睾全段 ,呈球形包块状 ,大小约 5 .0cm× 4 .0cm× 4 .0cm ,包膜完整 ,病理检查可见典型乳头样增生的腺样结构及高柱状透亮粘液腺细胞 ,部分腺腔见胶质样嗜酸性物质。该病例的特点为附睾乳头状囊腺瘤引起同侧睾丸的压迫性萎缩     

A case of arteriovenous fistulae secondary to renal cell carcinoma accompanied by congestive heart failure

The patient was a 62-year-old male who had visited a physician with the chief complaint of fever. After IVP and CT scanning, left real carcinoma was suspected and he was transferred to our hospital on March 2, 1982. The chest X-ray showed cardiac enlargement, distention of the pulmonary veins and symptoms of congestive heart, such as dyspnea. Selective renal angiography revealed marked arteriovenous fistulae present in the neovascularity, while cardiac echo and VCG did not suggest any disease of the endocardium or the valves. Thus, the case was diagnosed as cardiac insufficiency caused by renal cell carcinoma accompanied by arteriovenous fistulae. On March 31, 1982, left transabdominal nephrectomy was performed. The specimen measured 6 x 6.5 x 13.5 cm and weighed 395 g. Histological examination of the specimen showed clear cell carcinoma, and fragmentation of the lamina elastica was observed in the arteries. Improvements in the chest X-ray findings as well as the subjective symptoms were observed post-operatively, and the patient was discharged on April 21, 1982. Since cases of renal cell carcinoma accompanied by renal arteriovenous fistulae in which congestive heart failure develops are rare in Japan, we have reported this case.     

Two cases of renal cell carcinoma accompanied with ossification]

We report two cases of renal cell carcinoma accompanied with ossification. Case 1: A 40-year-old male visited a physician with the complaint of epigastric pain. Examination of the stomach revealed compression of the greater curvature. Abdominal radiography and CT scan revealed a left renal mass with calcification, which was a hypovascular tumor on angiography. A transperitoneal left nephrectomy was performed. The resected kidney was 700g in weight and the tumor, which was 12 x 10 x 10 cm in size and located in the upper pole of the kidney, was enveloped with a hard capsule and was extensively necrotized. Histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (papillary type, mixed subtype). Case 2: A 69-year-old female was occasionally pointed out to have a left renal mass in ultrasonic examination. It was accompanied with calcification in CT scan and a hypervascular tumor in angiography. A transperitoneal left nephrectomy was performed. The resected kidney was 320 g in weight and the tumor located in the lower pole of the kidney, was 6 x 6 x 6 cm in size and necrotized. Histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (alveolar type, clear cell subtype). Microscopically in both cases, ossified tissue existed among the fibrous tissue in the necrotized lesion of the tumor, but not near the cancer cells and, it was accompanied by calcification. During the ossification process, the connective tissue proliferates after the necrosis of the tumor, and metaplasia occurred from its juvenile plastic cells to osteoblastic cells.     

Are small renal tumors harmless? Analysis of histopathological features according to tumors 4 cm or less in diameter

PURPOSE: Small renal tumors detected incidentally are considered to have less aggressive potential. This assumption is mainly based on the low tendency to increase in size on serial imaging studies, but histopathological parameters of progression in larger patient series are scant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data of 287 tumor bearing kidneys in which solid tumors 4 cm or less in diameter were detected by cross-sectional imaging and subsequently removed surgically. Tumor size as documented by preoperative computerized tomography was correlated to histological diagnosis, and in cases of malignancy correlated to tumor type, pathological TNM stage and nuclear (Fuhrman) grade. With multifocal lesions the largest single tumor was considered the reference lesion but multifocality was also considered a separate parameter. RESULTS: At a mean tumor diameter of 2.94 +/- 0.87 cm 65 (22.6%) tumors were 2 cm or less, 103 (35.9%) were 2.1 to 3.0 cm and 119 (41.5%) were 3.1 to 4 cm in diameter. A total of 56 (19.5%) tumors were benign with no correlation to tumor size (Pearson test p = 0.660). Renal cell cancer was found in 227 (79.1%) patients with 159 (70.0%) clear cell, 47 (20.7%) papillary, 11 (4.8%) chromophobe and 10 others with no correlation to tumor diameter. Of the kidneys 31 (13.6%) had multifocal renal cell carcinoma, with a significant correlation to larger tumor diameter (linear regression p = 0.048) and papillary renal cell carcinoma subtype (linear regression p = 0.018). Two (4.2%), 4 (5%) and 25 (25.5%) cases of renal cell carcinoma 2 cm or less, 2.1 to 3 cm and 3.1 to 4 cm in diameter had Fuhrman grade G3/4, respectively (Pearson p = 0.0007). Advanced stage (pT3a or greater) was documented in 2 (4.2%), 12 (14.9%) and 35 (35.7%) cases for the same categories, respectively (p = 0.0023). Whereas distant metastases were diagnosed in only 4 patients with renal cell carcinoma with tumors 3 cm or less, distant metastases were in 10 (8.4%) patients with tumors 3.1 to 4 cm (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The aggressive potential of small renal cell carcinoma increases dramatically beyond a tumor diameter of 3 cm. Given the difficulty in measuring tumor diameters reliably with sequential imaging studies, the threshold for selecting patients for a surveillance strategy should be set well under this parameter.     

Renal cell carcinoma presenting high serum level of CA19-9 due to hydronephrosis: a case report

A 58-year old female was referred to our hospital due to left renal cyst that was pointed out at her health check-up. Abdominal CT scan showed left hydronephrosis with a 20 x 12 x 11cm tumor. The serum CA19-9 level elevated to 4,400 U/ml. Urinary cytology in the left renal pelvis was negative, therefore we could not diagnose whether the mass was renal cell carcinoma or renal pelvic tumor before surgery. She underwent left radical nephrectomy, and frozen section revealed renal cell carcinoma. Immunohistological stain clarified CA19-9 was limited to epithelium lining the renal pelvis and was not contained in carcinoma cells. After the surgery, the serum CA19-9 decreased to the normal range. Serum CA19-9 is known to be sometimes elevated in patients with urothelial carcinoma, but rarely elevated in those with renal cell carcinoma. We thought that hydronephrosis by tumor occlusion caused CA19-9 elevation in our case.     

A case of metastatic tumor of spermatic cord from renal cell carcinoma

A 51-year-old man was admitted with the complaint of left scrotal swelling (11 x 5 x 5 cm). He had undergone left nephrectomy and removal of tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava due to renal cell carcinoma. Nine months after the nephrectomy, left scrotal enlargement was noticed. Left high orchiectomy was performed on January 20, 1988. A clear cell carcinoma was present in spermatic cord and pampiniform plexus histologically but testis and epididymis were intact. Renal cell carcinoma seemed to disseminate retrograde through the spermatic vein to spermatic cord. The metastatic tumor of spermatic cord from renal cell carcinoma is very rare and this case is the fifth case in the Japanese literature.     

A case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the ovary

A 52-year-old woman had a pathological fracture of the right femur. On histopathological examination bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma was suspected. Abdominal computed tomography showed a heterogeneous mass (9.1 x 7.8 x 6.5 cm) in the left kidney and a cystic multilocular mass (12 x 10 cm) in the pelvis. Bone scintigraphy revealed an abnormal uptake in the left coracoid process, right third rib, and right distal femur and proximal tibia. Clinical diagnosis was left renal cancer with multiple bone metastases (cT2NOM1, stage IV) and a right ovarian tumor. We performed left radical nephrectomy and resection of right ovarian tumor by bilateral adnexectomy. On histopathological examination, the left kidney tumor was diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma (clear cell carcinoma with chromophobe component, G2 > G1). The ovarian tumor consisted of carcinoma of clear cell type (G2) that resembled components of left renal cell carcinoma, confirming the diagnosis of metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma to the ovary. Although she underwent immunotherapy with interferon, she died 10 months after nephrectomy. Metastasis to the ovary from renal clear cell carcinoma is very rare and only 18 cases have been reported in the literature. This rarity may be related to the difficulty of differential diagnosis between metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the ovary and primary ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Elaborate analysis of microscopic features and immunohistochemical profiles may help in the distinction of this metastatic lesion.     

Usefulness of power Doppler ultrasound in a patient with renal cell carcinoma in the wall of a simple renal cyst]

We present a case of renal cell carcinoma in the wall of a simple renal cyst. A 54-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of right back pain. Ultrasound study revealed right hydronephrosis, a ureteral stone, and a 9 x 8 cm renal cyst, with a tumor, 2 cm in diameter, in the cyst wall. Power Doppler Ultrasound and enhanced computed tomography demonstrated hypervascularity of the tumor. Clinically, he was diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma and nephrectomy was performed. Pathological findings of the tumor showed clear cell carcinoma in the wall of a simple renal cyst. Twelve months after the nephrectomy, he was free from recurrence.     

Renal adenoma treated with partial nephrectomy: a case report

We report a case of renal adenoma which was diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma preoperatively. A 78-year-old man, who had been under observation for bladder cancer for 4 years, was incidentally found to have a small right renal tumor at follow-up computed tomography (CT). Enhanced CT demonstrated a tumor which was hypervascular, 10 x 10 mm size, at the lower pole of the right kidney. There was no evidence of distant metastasis. The preoperative diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma, cT1aN0M0, and we performed right partial nephrectomy. The histopathorogical finding was renal adenoma. Renal adenomas are benign tumors and not uncommon in autopsy cases. However, when they are detected clinically, it is difficult to distinguish them from renal cell carcinoma preoperatively.     

肾脏偶发占位病变的诊治体会

目的提高小于３．０ｃｍ偶发性肾脏占位病变的诊治效果。方法对４９例肾脏偶发占位病变的诊治进行回顾性总结。结果Ｂ超检查发现３６例,ＣＴ检查发现１３例。肾癌３１例,高密度肾囊肿１０例,肾错构瘤７例,肾皮质腺瘤１例。肾癌术后死亡１例,生存超过５年者１４例,１例肾错构瘤随诊肿瘤增大０．６ｃｍ,余未见异常。结论肾脏偶发占位病变应根据Ｂ超、ＣＴ、ＭＲＩ综合分析作出诊断,定性不明者应行术中冰冻病检。     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis with giant hydronephrosis

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis associated with giant hydronephrosis. A 71-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a complaint of abdominal fullness due to the right giant hydronephrosis. Although the diagnosis of her hydronephrosis was made about 20 years ago at another hospital, it had been left untreated. Computed tomography showed the right hydronephrosis of 20 x 20 x 25 cm in diameter and no evidence of tumor or calculus in the right urinary tract. For relief of her complaint, right nephrectomy was performed. The fluid content was bloody and 4,200 ml in volume. Histological examination revealed a flat type squamous cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. This is the 30th case of renal pelvic malignant tumor associated with giant hydronephrosis reported in Japan. The literature was reviewed and the management of giant hydronephrosis was discussed.     

额部扩张双蒂轴型皮瓣修复老年患者颅顶部慢性难治性溃疡

目的探讨老年患者颅顶部慢性难治性溃疡的治疗方法，及额部扩张双蒂轴型皮瓣的临床应用效果。方法2002年9月～2006年6月，收治5例颅顶部慢性难治性溃疡老年男性患者，年龄55～76岁。外伤1例，感染1例，鳞状细胞癌2例，基底细胞癌1例。病程6～25个月。曾行1～4次手术。溃疡范围5cm×3cm～10cm×9cm。一期手术于颞浅动脉额支下方和额肌下方设计植入皮肤软组织扩张器；二期手术扩大切除颅顶部慢性溃疡，采用额部扩张双蒂轴型皮瓣，旋转移位修复。创面清创后范围为6．0cm×3．5cm～12．0cm×10．5cm，皮瓣切取范围26cm×10cm～34cm×17cm。2例供区利用多余扩张皮瓣修复，3例植皮修复。结果术后皮瓣均成活，伤口I期愈合，供区愈合良好。患者均获随访3～24个月，平均10个月。皮瓣附着良好，溃疡无复发，无上睑外翻及眼裂闭合不全，日常生活无不适。结论采用额部扩张双蒂轴型皮瓣修复老年颅顶部慢性难治性溃疡，临床效果满意，是治疗老年患者颅顶部难治性溃疡一种新的手术方法。     

Nephron sparing surgery for localized renal cell carcinoma: impact of tumor size on patient survival, tumor recurrence and TNM staging

PURPOSE: We studied the impact of tumor size on patient survival and tumor recurrence following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma. In addition, we evaluated the usefulness of the new TNM staging system in which T1 versus T2 tumor status is delineated by tumor size 7 or less versus more than 7 cm., respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma in 485 patients treated before 1997 were reviewed. Patients were divided into groups according to tumor size as 1--2.5 or less (142), 2--2.5 to 4.0 (168), 3--more than 4 to 7 (125) and 4--more than 7 cm (50). Mean postoperative followup was 47 months. RESULTS: Overall and cancer specific 5-year survival for the entire series was 81 and 92%, respectively. Of 44 patients with recurrent renal cell carcinoma 16 (3.2%) had local recurrence and 28 (5.8%) had metastatic disease. There was no difference in 5-year cancer specific survival or tumor recurrence between groups 1 and 2 or groups 3 and 4. However, these outcome measures were significantly more favorable in groups 1 and 2 combined (tumors 4 cm. or less) compared to groups 3 and 4 combined (tumors more than 4 cm.) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Following nephron sparing surgery for localized sporadic renal cell carcinoma cancer-free survival is significantly better in patients with tumors 4 cm. or less compared to those with larger tumors. The usefulness of the current TNM staging system can be improved by subdividing T1 tumors into T1a (4 cm. or less) and T1b (4 to 7 cm.).     

Successful treatment for renal cell carcinoma with lung metastases by interleukin-2 and interferon-alfa: a case report

We report a case in which a regimen of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) was effective against renal cell carcinoma with lung metastases. A 69-year-old man diagnosed with right renal tumor had not received treatment for 28 months. He was admitted to our hospital for treatment. Computed tomographic (CT) findings showed a right renal tumor 11.5 cm in diameter and multiple lung metastases. Right nephrectomy was performed, and pathological examination was renal cell carcinoma (clear cell carcinoma, G2, pT3a). A regimen of IL-2 and IFN-alpha was selected as an adjuvant therapy. He received 70 x 10(4) JRU/day of IL-2 (div) 5 times a week, and 600 x 10(4) IU/day of IFN-alpha intramuscularly 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Thereafter, both treatments were continued 3 times a week. CT scan showed a complete response on lung metastases 12 months and no recurrence has been observed on CT scan for 16 months after operation.     

Single primary lung cancer consisting of three cancer cell types (small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) in which each had metastasized to different lymph nodes

We report a case of a 70-year-old male smoker with a single primary tumor 2.5 x 3.0 cm in size in the right lung lower lobe. A transbronchial lung biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. We performed right lower lobectomy with lymph node dissection (ND2a). The resected specimen consisted of three different cell types; small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (in a ratio of 70: 20: 10). Each cancer cell types had metastasized to different lymph nodes. The final diagnosis was a combined small cell carcinoma in the lung. Combined small cell carcinoma is uncommon, but is nevertheless a well-described diagnostic category in lung cancers.     

An outcome prediction model for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with radical nephrectomy based on tumor stage,size, grade and necrosis: the SSIGN score

PURPOSE: Currently outcome prediction in renal cell carcinoma is largely based on pathological stage and tumor grade. We developed an outcome prediction model for patients treated with radical nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which was based on all available clinical and pathological features significantly associated with death from renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 1,801 adult patients with unilateral clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with radical nephrectomy between 1970 and 1998. Clinical features examined included age, sex, smoking history, and signs and symptoms at presentation. Pathological features examined included 1997 TNM stage, tumor size, nuclear grade, histological tumor necrosis, sarcomatoid component, cystic architecture, multifocality and surgical margin status. Cancer specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test associations between features studied and outcome. The selection of features included in the multivariate model was validated using bootstrap methodology. RESULTS: Mean followup was 9.7 years (range 0.1 to 31). Estimated cancer specific survival rates at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years were 86.6%, 74.0%, 68.7%, 63.8% and 60.0%, respectively. Several features were multivariately associated with death from clear cell renal cell carcinoma, including 1997 TNM stage (p <0.001), tumor size 5 cm. or greater (p <0.001), nuclear grade (p <0.001) and histological tumor necrosis (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma 1997 TNM stage, tumor size, nuclear grade and histological tumor necrosis were significantly associated with cancer specific survival. We present a scoring system based on these features that can be used to predict outcome.     

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising from the renal capsule

A 62-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of general malaise. Computed tomography showed a large mass adjacent to the parenchyma of the left kidney. The mass was 17 x 13 x 12 cm in size. Preoperative diagnosis was left renal cell carcinoma and left radical nephrectomy was performed. Histopathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and the tumor was considered to have arisen from the renal capsule. There has been no recurrence for 7 months postoperatively. We review 40 cases of MFH arising from the kidney or the renal capsule in the literature.     

Interferon therapy for renal cell carcinoma in hemodialysis patients: Report of two patients

The method of interferon therapy has not been clarified in hemodialysis patients with renal cell carcinoma. Two hemodialysis patients with renal cell carcinoma were treated with natural interferon-alpha. The serum levels of interferon-alpha in both patients were measured after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of injection. In case 1, the serum concentration of interferon-alpha after 24 h of injection at a dose of 3 x 10(6) reached a maximum and decreased gradually. In case 2, the serum concentration of interferon-alpha reached a maximum 24 h after injection at a dose of 3 x 10(6) and decreasing gradually after this. After an injection of interferon-alpha at a concentration of 6 x 10(6) 7 days later, the serum concentration of interferon-alpha reached a maximum 48 h after the injection and decreased gradually thereafter. The serum interferon-alpha concentrations of these cases were higher than normal renal function patients in other literature. It is necessary to modify the interval between injections for hemodialysis patients with renal cell carcinoma.     

A resected case of renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to pancreas]

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma with metastasis to the pancreas, treated by radical nephrectomy and total pancreatectomy. A 56-year-old man visited our hospital because of macrohematuria and right low backache. An intravenous pyelography, ultrasonography and a CT scan of the abdomen revealed right renal tumor at the upper portion, about 11 cm in diameter, but no abnormal findings of the pancreas. Aortic and celiac angiograms demonstrated multifocal lesions, 1 or 2 cm in size, compatible with a metastatic tumor in the region of the pancreas. The patient underwent right radical nephrectomy and open biopsy of the pancreas. The right renal tumor was histologically revealed to be renal cell carcinoma without nodal or venous extension. Histological examination of the pancreas biopsy specimen confirmed it to be a renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas. Therefore, he underwent total pancreatectomy 1 month after the previous surgery. Three months after the second surgery, a CT scan of the brain revealed metastasis to the pituitary gland. He is still under therapy.