[Secondary tumors of the kidney]

The frequency of secondary tumours of the kidney is underestimated, especially as their diagnosis is often delayed, after nephrectomy or autopsy. The authors present the case of a 59-year-old patient presenting with renal metastases from lung cancer operated two years previously and review about forty cases published in the literature over the last twelve years. The diagnosis by percutaneous needle biopsy can avoid useless surgery and improve patient management. The specificity and sensitivity of this method need to be evaluated.