A case of renal cell carcinoma associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A 29-year-old woman was referred to another hospital with complaints of bruising and ecchymosis and thrombocytopenia (12,000/microl) was pointed out. After some examinations, the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and was started on steroid therapy. Then the patient consulted our hospital and computerized tomography revealed a left renal tumor 4 cm in diameter. Under the diagnosis of left renal neoplasm we performed left nephrectomy and splenectomy with preoperative high-dose intravenous gammaglobulin treatment. Pathological examination revealed clear cell carcinoma. After the operation, the platelet count increased gradually. We should consider bleeding tendency by thrombocytopenia and side effect of long-term steroid treatment when we perform operations on patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.