A case report of retroaortic left renal vein with tumor thrombus of renal cell carcinoma

A 75-year-old woman was referred to our department for evaluation of a left renal tumor. Computed tomography and other imaging studies demonstrated a left renal mass and tumor extension into the left renal vein passing caudally behind the aorta. We clinically diagnosed the tumor as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associated with a retroaortic left renal vein thrombus, and performed a radical nephrectomy. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen showed a grade 2, clear cell carcinoma with a renal vein thrombus and negative surgical margin. Retroaortic left renal vein is a rare anomaly with a prevalence of 1.8–2.4%. RCC associated with a retroaortic left renal vein thrombus is rarer still. To our knowledge, this is only the third case report to describe an RCC associated with a tumor thrombus in the retroaortic left renal vein.     

不同分级肾静脉瘤栓后腹腔镜左肾癌根治术的可行性

目的：探讨左肾癌伴有不同分级肾静脉瘤栓患者经后腹腔途径腹腔镜左肾癌根治术的可行性。方法：7例左肾占位伴左肾静脉瘤栓患者,增强CT显示7例肿物不均匀强化,并伴有。肾静脉内充盈缺损,均在全麻下行后腹腔镜左肾癌根治术。术中放置4个穿刺套管针,游离腹主动脉和肾动脉后,Hem-o-lok结扎切断。肾动脉,游离肾静脉后判断7例瘤栓均为非附壁瘤栓,上托肾脏,于肾静脉近下腔静脉处Hem—O—lok结扎切断。肾静脉,完整切除肾脏及瘤栓。我们根据左。肾静脉瘤栓长度进行分级,讨论不同分级患者手术难点及可行性。结果：7例手术均获成功,术后恢复良好。病理诊断为肾透明细胞癌6例,嫌色细胞癌1例。术后随访8个月（1～18个月）,未见肿瘤复发和转移。结论：对于选择性病例伴有不同分级的肾静脉瘤栓的左肾癌行经后腹腔途径腹腔镜左肾癌根治术可行,但随瘤栓分级增加手术难度增大。     

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.     

伴有肾静脉瘤栓的左肾癌全腹腔镜根治术

目的：探讨左肾癌并肾静脉瘤栓患者行经后腹腔途径全腹腔镜左肾痛根治术的可行性。方法：3例左肾癌伴左。肾静脉瘤栓患者均在全麻下行经后腹腔全腹腔镜左肾癌根治术：术中放置4个穿刺套管针,游离腹主动脉和肾动脉后,用Hem—o-lok结扎切断肾动脉,于肾静脉近下腔静脉处用Hem-o-lok结扎切断肾静脉,完整切除。肾脏及瘤栓。结果：3例手术均获得成功,术后恢复良好,5灭出院。病理检查分别诊断为肾透明细胞癌2例,嫌色细胞癌1例。术后随访1～3个月,未见肿瘤复发和转移。结论：对选择性左肾癌并肾静脉瘤栓患者行经后腹腔全腹腔镜左。肾癌根治术完全可行。     

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.     

Renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium--a case report]

We present a case of spontaneous rupture of renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending from the right renal vein and inferior vena cava to the right atrium. A 41-year-old woman, previously in good health, was referred to our hospital with right flank pain. Computed tomography showed fat densities in both tumor and thrombus. Other imaging examinations also demonstrated a large right renal mass (18 cm in diameter), a long tumor thrombus (13 cm in length) and a small left renal tumor (1.5 cm in diameter). Right nephrectomy and en-bloc removal of the intra caval and intracardiac tumor thrombus were performed on cardiopulmonary bypass. It was pathologically diagnosed as an angiomyolipoma without tuberous sclerosis. At present, three years after surgery the patient is doing well, showing neither metastasis nor increase of the left renal angiomyolipoma. To our knowledge, our case seems to be the 3rd case report of renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium. We conclude that renal angiomyolipoma even with an intra cardiac tumor thrombus can be resected safely and successfully.     

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 adrenalectomy with adrenal vein tumor thrombectomy: technical considerations

PURPOSE: We describe the technique of adrenal vein tumor thrombectomy during laparoscopic radical adrenalectomy for cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a heterogeneous 7 cm left adrenal mass an adrenal vein thrombus was detected intraoperatively. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was used to delineate precisely the tumor thrombus and its extension into the left main renal vein. The left renal artery and vein were transiently controlled with atraumatic vascular clamps. The renal vein was incised and the intact tumor thrombus was removed en bloc with the radical adrenalectomy specimen. The renal vein was suture repaired with 4-zero prolene and the kidney was revascularized. RESULTS: Renal warm ischemia time was 21 minutes, blood loss was 300 cc and operative time was 6.2 hours. Pathological evaluation revealed a 7.5 cm 68 gm adrenal cortical cancer with tumor thrombus. Soft tissue and adrenal vein margins were negative for cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical adrenalectomy with en bloc adrenal vein tumor thrombectomy can be exclusively performed intracorporeally, while respecting oncological principles. Essential technical steps include wide margin excision of the adrenal gland, intraoperative ultrasonography, renal vascular control, en bloc tumor thrombectomy and renal venous suture repair in a bloodless field.     

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.     

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.     

Metastatic melanoma to the kidney presenting with renal vein tumor thrombus

We report on a patient with metastatic melanoma to the kidney who presented with a renal vein thrombus to the inferior vena cava. Three years after his initial lesion of the scalp, a 34-year-old Egyptian man was found to have two brain metastases and an 11-cm left renal metastasis with a tumor thrombus in the renal vein. After resection of the brain metastases, with no evidence of additional metastases, the patient underwent left radical nephrectomy and tumor venous thrombectomy. The patient later had tumor recurrence at multiple sites. He did not respond to systemic treatment and died 5 months later.     

Successful preoperative interferon-alpha therapy of advanced renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava: a case report

We report a case of renal cell carcinoma in which interferon-a therapy was effective in reducing the tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava. A 66-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a complaint of macroscopic hematuria, cough and general fatigue. We made a diagnosis of a left renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus by imaging examination. Because his performance status was 3, a radical operation was considered risky. Twenty-two months after the start of interferon-a therapy, the tumor thrombus was markedly reduced in size, and the clinical response was evaluated as partial response by the response criteria for urological cancer treatrment. Because of improvement of the performance status and downsizing of tumor thrombus, we performed radical nephrectomy. Pathological examinations revealed that viable renal cell carcinomas were found in the primary lesion and the tumor thrombus. In some cases, interferon-alpha therapy is useful and safe in the treatment of the tumor thrombus. Furthermore, radical nephrectomy and complete resection of the tumor thrombus prolongs postoperative survival.     

Case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava

We describe a case of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. A 71-year-old male was admitted to our department for, careful examination of bilateral renal tumors. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral solid enhanced renal masses with the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the left renal vein. The renal tumor did not reveal distant metastatic lesions. We enforced two-term operation for bilateral renal tumor. First, right nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy in the IVC were performed. On the 32th day after the first operation, we performed left nephrectomy. On the second day after the last operation, the patient received hemodialysis. The histopathological diagnosis revealed bilateral renal cell carcinomas. At 9 months after the last operation, the patient had multiple bone metastases, multiple liver metastases and multiple lung metastases.     

腹腔镜下微创手术治疗肾癌合并高位肝后下腔静脉癌栓

目的探讨腹腔镜下微创手术治疗肾癌合并高位肝后下腔静脉癌栓的临床经验和文献分析。 方法女性患者,61岁,临床诊断：右肾癌合并高位肝后下腔静脉癌栓。术前全面评估手术风险,组织多学科会诊为患者制定详尽的围手术期治疗与护理方案,拟行腹腔镜下右侧肾癌根治性切除+高位肝后下腔静脉癌栓取出+腹膜后淋巴结清扫术。术后医护密切配合严密观察患者病情变化,进行围手术期观察处理与护理。 结果手术顺利完成,手术时间390 min,无中转开放手术。术中完全游离右侧和左侧肾静脉、肝后下腔静脉直达第二肝门水平远端,近右肾静脉处下腔静脉内侧壁剪开静脉壁,癌栓下部小灶性侵犯静脉壁,切除部分腔静脉壁完整取出癌栓,恢复左侧肾静脉、腔静脉血流回流无障碍。术后病理提示符合透明细胞癌,癌组织侵犯肾窦脂肪,腹膜后淋巴结（-）。术后随访6个月未见肿瘤复发。 结论腹腔镜下微创手术治疗肾癌合并高位肝后下腔静脉癌栓安全可行,多学科协助模式为疑难复杂病例提供了一种新的选择,值得临床进一步推广。     

Metastatic Biliary Polypoid Thrombus from Renal Cell Carcinoma: Report of a Case

We report an extremely rare case of metastatic biliary polypoid thrombus with hepatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma. A 74-year-old man was admitted with a low-grade fever and obstruction of the left hepatic duct. He had undergone left nephrectomy 17 years previously due to a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. A preoperative diagnosis of left hepatic duct carcinoma was made, and a left lobectomy and left caudate lobectomy with right biliary anastomosis of jejunal loop were performed. The resected specimen showed a polypoid mass in the left hepatic duct with metastases in the caudate lobe, and a histological examination revealed both tumors to be clear cell-type renal cell carcinoma. The mechanism of biliary metastatic thrombus formation was speculated to be as follows: caudate lobe metastases invade the adjacent bile ducts, and a tumor fragment in the bile duct then becomes implanted in the intraluminal left hepatic duct, thus leading to the growth of the biliary polypoid thrombus. Received: April 16, 2001 / Accepted: November 20, 2001     

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with level II vena caval thrombectomy: survival porcine study

PURPOSE: Inferior vena caval tumor thrombus due to renal cell carcinoma generally precludes laparoscopic techniques for radical nephrectomy. We developed the technique of laparoscopic infrahepatic (level II) inferior vena caval thrombectomy in a survival porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 7 female pigs used in the study 2 were acute and 5 were chronic animals which were allowed to survive for 6 weeks postoperatively. Laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy and inferior vena caval thrombectomy were performed in accordance with established open surgical principles, including vascular control and intracorporeal reconstruction of the vena cava and left renal vein. RESULTS: Complete removal of the simulated caval thrombus was successful in each case without intraoperative or postoperative complications. Average operative time was 160 minutes. Postoperatively inferior venacavography showed a patent vena cava and left renal vein in all animals. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was successful in an animal model simulating renal cell carcinoma with infrahepatic vena caval tumor thrombus. Clinical application of this technique appears possible.     

Downsizing a thrombus of advanced renal cell carcinoma in a presurgical setting with sorafenib

A 53-year-old man presented with fever, 15 kg weight loss, ECOG performance status 0, and 12 × 9.5 cm renal tumor with an associated level II (near level III) tumor thrombus extending into the vena cava. We offered a presurgical targeted therapy to downsize the thrombus and primary tumor, which may reduce the extent of the surgery and operative risk. The patient accepted this approach with administration of sorafenib, resulting in a marked reduction of the primary renal tumor and 43% regression in tumor thrombus. Tumor shrinkage and regression of the thrombus allowed resection of the left kidney. Pathological findings revealed that part of the tumor was necrotic tissue. Two years after initiation of presurgical sorafenib therapy, the patient remains alive without evidence of disease progression.     

Supradiaphragmatic renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombus: indications for vena caval reconstruction with pericardium

Supradiaphragmatic extension of tumor thrombus from a renal cell carcinoma presents a major surgical challenge. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and cardiac arrest with temporary exsanguination has allowed for successful surgical excision of these tumors. A renal cell carcinoma on the right side with a supradiaphragmatic tumor thrombus still may only partially occlude the vena cava. The collateral venous circulation of the left renal vein may be developed poorly and a pericardial patch can allow successful reconstruction of the inferior vena cava. If the tumor arises on the left side continued venous drainage of the right kidney is mandatory to prevent venous infarction of the right kidney. The entire vena cava also might be reconstructed theoretically with pericardium.     

Inferior vena cava on left side with left renal cell carcinoma

A case of unilateral inferior vena cava (IVC) on the left side with left renal cell carcinoma and two polar veins is presented. Preoperative computerized tomogram (CT) and angiogram showed IVC on the left side and tumor thrombus in the left renal vein; that information was helpful during radical nephrectomy.     

Transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis forming tumor thrombus in the vena cava

A 47-year-old man presented with a left renal incidentaloma without hematuria. The tumor was complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus extending from Th11 to L4. A temporary IVC filter was introduced prior to surgery. A midline incision was used to perform a left radical nephrectomy and en bloc lymphadenectomy with excision of the inferior vena cava from above the level of the left renal vein to 2.5 cm above the confluence of the common iliac veins. The pathological diagnosis was invasive transitional cell carcinoma. The tumor thrombus consisted of transitional cell carcinoma that histologically invaded the walls of the IVC. He died of cancer 17 months after the operation for the liver metastases. This is the 18th case report of such a presentation in the literature.