A case of recurrent renal cell carcinoma which recurred after fourth surgical resection and survived for about 2 years by medroxyporgesterone acetate administration

A 62-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of asymptomatic gross hematuria. Right radical Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated an 8 cm mass in the right kidney. nephrectomy was done in March 1995, and the pathological examination revealed renal cell carcinoma (RCC), clear cell type, G2>G1. Interferon (IFN)-alpha was administered for 10 months. About 3 years later, in March 1998, CT showed 1 cm mass in the left kidney. Left partial nephrectomy was done and the pathological finding was RCC, G1. IFN-alpha2b was administered for a year. About 2 years later, CT showed 2.7 cm mass in the left lung. Left upper lobectomy was performed in August 2000, and it was a metastasis of RCC, G2. IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma were administered. Nine months later, in June 2001, the recurrence of the left kidney and the left adrenal gland was found and partial nephrectomy and adrenalectomy was performed. Pathological finding was RCC, G3. IFN-alpha and tegafur-uracil (UFT) were administered. Only 3 months later, recurrence of the left kidney and the left adrenal gland and the lymph node of renal hilus was found. We gave up for surgical resection and chemotherapy of MVP (Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Pepleomycin) was performed. Despite the therapy, disease progressed. 10 months after the last recurrence, in July 2002, patient became disoriented and hypercalcemia and the MVP therapy was stopped. After that, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and UFT were administered; the patient lived 20 months with relatively good performance status and died in February 2004. MPA might be considered as a drug for advanced renal cell carcinoma.     

Spontaneous rupture of renal cell carcinoma: a case report

A 45-year-old man felt sudden pain in the left abdomen while taking a bath. Computed tomography (CT) showed a huge hematoma above the left kidney, which was diagnosed as spontaneous rupture of the kidney. Two months later, several low-density areas were observed in the liver on CT. Suspecting renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with multiple liver metastasis, we performed left radical nephrectomy and partial hepatectomy. A pathological study revealed a small RCC of 2 cm in diameter in the middle of the left kidney. In spontaneous renal rupture secondary to renal tumors, imaging studies such as CT or MRI sometimes fail to demonstrate primary lesions.     

Solitary fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland with renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma at the same time; a case report

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a neoplasm of pleura and its occurrence in the retroperitoneal space is rare. We report a case of SFT of the adrenal gland associated with ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML). A 48-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a left renal AML. Computed tomography (CT) in our hospital showed a left adrenal mass (25 x 20 mm). Because the adrenal tumor was nonfunctioning, she was followed at outpatient clinic. Four years later, CT showed an increase in the left adrenal tumor size (42 x 30 mm) and a left RCC. Left adrenectomy and partial nephrectomy for RCC and AML were simultaneously performed. Histological examination revealed adrenal SFT and clear cell carcinoma and AML of the kidney. We present a brief review on histological characteristics of retroperitoneal SFT and its occurrence in the adrenal grand region.     

Renal cell carcinomas arising from the allograft and bilateral native kidneys

Abstract:   We present the case of a young lady who developed renal cell carcinomas (RCC) in the allograft and bilateral native kidneys metachronously within one year. She received a living donor kidney transplantation from her father. A solid tumor of 4 cm in diameter was uncovered first in the allograft kidney 103 months after transplantation, and was treated with graftectomy. Six months after graftectomy, a right renal tumor measuring 3.5 cm and left renal tumors emerged in the native kidneys. She underwent laparoscopic right and left radical nephrectomy in separate sessions. The pathological diagnosis in the allograft and right renal tumors was clear cell RCC with eosinophilic cytoplasm and that in the left kidney was clear cell carcinoma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and human leukocyte antigen typing showed that each tumor was most probably primary disease. She was free of disease 18 months postoperatively. This is the first report on RCC arising both in the allograft and bilateral native kidneys.     

A case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma showing a rapid course of death in a long-term hemodialysis patient due to polycystic kidney

A case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma in a 42-year-old polycystic kidney male is reported. He had been treated with hemodialysis for 22 years. An abnormal small mass was found in one of the left renal cystic lesions by screening ultrasonography and CT scan at the 19th year of the hemodialysis. Left radical nephrectomy was performed and the histological diagnosis was a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). There was no evidence of recurrence and metastasis, however, he presented with asymptomatic macrohematuria two years after the operation. CT scan demonstrated the rapidly progressing right renal tumor and multiple para-aortic lymph node swelling. Right nephrectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed and pathological examination showed the advanced RCC with multiple lymph node metastasis. Eleven months after the second operation followed by interferon therapy. he died of multiorgan metastasis of the RCC. This is the first bilateral RCC case in polycystic kidney patient treated with hemodialysis in Japan.     

Synchronous neoplasms of the colon and kidney: analysis of 2 case reports

Up until only a few decades ago synchronous renal cell carcinoma associated with primary tumors of other organs was diagnosed almost exclusively in necropsy series. Recently the widespread use of ultrasonography and CT has permitted diagnosis of clinically silent renal cell carcinoma in patients undergoing a work-up for other primary tumors. We report two cases of synchronous colon and renal cancer: 1) a 75 year old woman presented bilateral pulmonary nodules at chest X-Ray and stratigraphy. Total-body CT scan showed multiple, apparently metastatic, bilateral pulmonary lesions and two tumors in the right kidney and ascending colon. A right nephrectomy and right hemicolectomy were performed. She succumbed after 18 months as a result of metastatic spread to the liver, lungs and bone; 2) a 64 year old man was discovered to have a colon cancer during a barium enema examination and endoscopy. CT scan of the abdomen yielded an incidental diagnosis of a tumor in the left kidney. A left nephrectomy and left hemicolectomy were performed. After 6 months CT revealed no evidence of recurrence or metastases. Histology findings revealed two primary malignancies in both cases: a clear cell renal carcinoma and an adenocarcinoma of the colon.     

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with von Hippel-Lindau disease: a case report

We report a 68-year-old woman who had bilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Surgical resection of a central nervous system hemangioblastoma had been done previously. This time, synchronous bilateral RCCs were found in her kidneys, with metastases to lungs and liver. Right radical nephrectomy was performed to remove the primary tumor in the right kidney. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed clear cell RCC with a sarcomatoid component. After surgery, transcatheter arterial embolization was performed for the tumor in the left kidney and interferon therapy was commenced. The left renal tumor decreased in size and interferon therapy was effective against the metastatic lung tumors. However, 4 years after resection of the right RCC, the tumor in the left kidney increased progressively in size and partial left nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected tumor also showed clear cell type RCC with a sarcomatoid component. The patient eventually died of her disease at 5 years after resection of the right RCC. RCC associated with VHL is usually of the clear cell type has a relatively good prognosis. Sarcomatoid RCC is rare in VHL patients and, to our knowledge, the present report is the first case of sarcomatoid RCC associated with VHL in the Japanese literature.     

Tuberous sclerosis, associated with renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma, in a patient who developed endstage renal failure after nephrectomy

We report a case of tuberous sclerosis (TSC) associated with renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma in a patient, who developed endstage renal failure that required hemodialysis after nephrectomy. A 37-year-old woman with TSC was admitted for further investigation of bilateral renal masses detected by computed tomography (CT). Angiography revealed a tumor stain (4 cm in diameter) in the medial portion of the right kidney. Because renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was strongly suspected, right nephrectomy was performed. Her serum creatinine level was already increased, moderately, at 2.4 mg/dl, before the right nephrectomy. Her renal function deteriorated quickly (in 1&frac; years) after the right nephrectomy, and hemodialysis was introduced the next year. The histological findings of the resected right kidney revealed marked intimal thickening of the intralobular arteries. These findings suggested that the renal function loss was not only caused by the nephron mass reduction due to the nephrectomy but was also caused by nephrosclerosis. Though most patients with TSC die before developing endstage renal failure, this patient is currently receiving maintenance hemodialysis and has been followed for 3 years with no recurrence of RCC in the left kidney.     

Hemodialysis case in which RCC was identified after disappearance of perirenal hematoma following spontaneous renal rupture treated by transcatheter arterial embolization

A 55-year-old man who had been undergoing hemodialysis for 9 years visited our institution after the sudden onset of severe left flank pain. He presented with hypotension and was admitted immediately because computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive perirenal hematoma. Renal arteriography showed contrast media leakage at the lower branch of the left renal artery, and spontaneous renal rupture was diagnosed. Five months after the bleeding was stopped by selective transcatheter embolization of the branch of renal artery, CT showed an enhanced mass at the upper pole of left kidney and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was suspected. Radical nephrectomy was performed, the pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma, and the man has not experienced recurrence within 36 months after the surgery. RCC did not appear to be the cause of the original hemorrhage because there was a small residual hematoma in the middle of the renal parenchyma that was separated from the RCC. In cases of spontaneous renal rupture, re-evaluation by imaging studies is mandatory after disappearance of perirenal hematoma because imaging studies at the time of the rupture sometimes do not reveal the cause of the hemorrhage.     

A case of recurrent intracaval renal cell carcinoma effectively treated with sunitinib

A 67-year-old man received left radical nephrectomy for left renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (clear cell carcinoma, G2, pT3bN0M0). After 9 months, he presented with an acute onset of left extremity edema. A computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging reveal recurrent renal cell carcinoma in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the left renal fossa, thrombus in the left external vein and acute pulmonary embolism. We performed treatment with sunitinib for 5 months after anticoagulant therapy for 3 weeks. A new CT scan showed disappearance of RCC in the IVC and reduction in the size of RCC in the renal fossa. Only 11 cases are reported as recurrent RCC in the IVC. We report the first case of recurrent intracaval RCC in which sunitinib treatment was effective.     

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.     

An aggressive course of Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma in a 28-year-old man

Abstract:   Cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with Xp11 translocations are rare and are reported predominantly in children. We report a case of a young man who developed an aggressive Xp11 translocation RCC. A 28-year-old man presented with back pain, fever and macroscopic hematuria. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a heterogeneous mass in the left kidney. Left radical nephrectomy was performed. Hematoxylin–eosin staining revealed nested and papillary architecture, clear and eosinophilic cytoplasm and vesicles with prominent nucleoli. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed that the tumor cells showed nuclear labeling for TFE3 protein. On the basis of these findings, the case was diagnosed as Xp11 translocation RCC. This tumor massively recurred and led to the patient's death 2 years after the initial diagnosis. The utility of immunohistochemistry using antibodies against TFE3 in RCC occurring in young adults may be necessary for accurate diagnosis.     

Renal cell carcinoma, primary lesion which was not easily identified: report of two cases

We report two cases of renal cell carcinoma, primary lesions of which were not diagnosed at an early stage. The first case was a 58-year-old woman, who had nephrectomy due to staghorn calculus of left kidney. Fifteen months later, she died of metastatic cancer whose origin was unknown until the left kidney was re-examined. It was sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. The second case was 43-year-old woman, who had amputation of right index finger due to metastatic tumor. Renal cell carcinoma was highly suspected, but no tumor could be found in her kidneys although various urological examinations were performed. Two years later, abdominal CT scan showed a space-occupying lesion (SOL) of left kidney. She had left nephrectomy, and the origin was finally identified.     

Advanced sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma effectively treated with sunitinib: report of a case

We report a case of advanced sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) effectively treated with sunitinib. A 77-year-old female who had gross hematuria and left lower abdominal pain was found to have a left renal tumor by computed tomography (CT) and was referred to our hospital. CT revealed a poorly enhanced mass in the left kidney and an enlarged paraaortic lymph node. The patient underwent laparoscopic left nephrectomy, and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as a sarcomatoid RCC. Sunitinib was administered to treat lymph node metastasis, postoperatively, and a partial response was observed after 4 courses. Sunitinib administration has been continued without tumor re-growth.     

Splenic and Pulmonary Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Report of a Case

We report herein the case of a patient in whom pulmonary and splenic metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were successfully treated by surgical excision. A 69-year-old man who underwent left nephrectomy for RCC 17 months before was suspected to have a pulmonary metastasis based on computed tomography (CT) findings. Partial resection of the left lower lobe was performed with thoracoscopic assistance. However, 4 months later, a splenic tumor, 6 cm in diameter, was detected by CT and ultrasonography, and a splenectomy was performed. Histologically, both resected specimens were diagnosed as metastasis from RCC. A second pulmonary metastasis of the left upper lobe was resected 4 years 8 months later. The patient was in good health when last seen 11 months after his last operation. Malignant neoplasms rarely metastasize to the spleen and most cases are found at autopsy, or feature multiple distant metastases. Only four other cases of splenic metastases from RCC have been reported. The prognosis associated with splenic metastasis is favorable when only a solitary lesion exists. Received: February 4, 2000 / Accepted: November 20, 2000     

Cerebral metastasis from a renal cell carcinoma more than 10 years after nephrectomy: report of two cases

The authors report two cases with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastatic to the brain more than 10 years after nephrectomy. Case 1: An eighty-six-year-old female, on whom nephrectomy had been performed 12 years before, complained of alexia. Computed tomography (CT) revealed ring enhancement in the left temporoparietal region. Total removal of the brain tumor and irradiation of 18 Gy during surgery was performed. Histological examination showed metastatic brain tumor from RCC. The postoperative course was excellent. In the postoperative examination lung metastasis was found. Case 2: A sixty-seven-year-old male, on whom nephrectomy had been performed 15 years before, presented with right hemiparesis, aphasia and convulsion. CT showed two enhanced lesions, one of which accompanied with a hematoma in the left frontal lobe. Chest X-ray showed a coin lesion in the right lower lobe. Total removal of brain tumors was performed and 18 Gy irradiation was administered during surgery. Histological study revealed RCC. However, 3 months after surgery, a new lesion was recognized in the opposite hemisphere. The long interval of latency may be attributed to the slow-growing characteristic of renal cell carcinoma and the fact that renal cell carcinoma is under the influence of host immunity. Surgical treatment is recommended for patients who develop a solitary metastatic lesion or in whom other lesions are controlled and remain in a stable condition.     

A case of renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation in a 28-year old woman. The patient was referred to our hospital with a complaint of left lumbargo. Laboratory data were within normal limits. Radiography (KUB) suggested a calcification in the left kidney and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a renal mass which contained a calcification. Selective renal angiography revealed a hypervascular (microaneurysm-like change) tumor at the lower part of the kidney. Left nephrectomy was performed. Histopathological diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation (clear cell carcinoma, G1 > G2, pT1b). There has been neither metastasis nor any recurrence during the 7 months since her operation.     

Renal cell carcinoma complicated by emphysematous pyelonephritis in a non-diabetic patient with renal failure

A 72-year-old non-diabetic uremic woman underwent right nephrectomy for urolithiasis at the age of 50. Because pyuria, fever, chilliness and left flank pain developed during preparing for arteriovenous fistula, she was admitted to National Cheng Kung University Hospital. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) complicated with emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) was diagnosed and immediately treated with antibiotics and CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage. Cultures of pus and blood yielded Escherichia coli. She received left radical nephrectomy later for the control of persistent sepsis and removal of left renal tumor. The pathology of the tumor was composed of a glandular arrangement of granular cells with the occasional atypism, and renal parenchyma had been totally replaced by RCC. The non-tumor part of the kidney showed chronic pyelonephritis. Five months later, multiple metastases developed. We reported this first uremic case with EPN and RCC, but without diabetes mellitus and urinary tract obstruction. The gas formation may be due to large RCC, which caused impaired tissue perfusion and E. coli infection.     

Bladder metastasis of renal cell carcinoma : report of a case

A 65-year-old man presented with gross hematuria in 2004. Computed tomography (CT) showed a left renal mass, and he underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma (pT2N0M0, G2＞G3). Four years later, a right adrenal tumor was disclosed by follow-up CT. Then laparoscopic adrenectomy was performed. Histology showed metastasis of the renal clear cell carcinoma. In 2009, he noticed gross hematuria, and cystoscopy revealed a 2cm solitary, non-papillary tumor at the anterior wall of the bladder. At the same time, small solitary liver metastasis (6 mm) was observed on abdominal CT. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor and resection of liver tumor was performed, and pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma both in vesical and hepatic masses. Nine months after the last surgery, he is living with no obvious tumor recurrence. To our knowledge this case is the 34th case of bladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma in the Japanese literature. We reviewed literature and discuss the clinical features of bladder metastasis of renal cell carcinoma.     

A case of renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the contralateral kidney and renal pelvis

Extremely rarely renal cell carcinoma metastasizes to the contralateral renal pelvis or ureter. A 42-year-old man had undergone left radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (pT1b, grade 2) in March, 2000. Fifteen months later, he complained of macroscopic hematuria. Computed tomographic scanning and retrograde pyelography showed a right renal pelvic tumor. Enucleation of pelvic tumor was performed and a parenchyma mass incidentally identified in the right kidney was also resected. Histopathological examination of each tumor revealed renal cell carcinoma identical to the primary tumors in the left kidney suggesting metastasis to renal pelvis and de novo tumor or metastasis in the right kidney.