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Renal cell carcinoma presenting as a cervical mass
Antonio C Pompeo1, Hideki Kanashiro, Matheus N Silva
1Department of Urology, General Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, USP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Summary
A rare case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was diagnosed after a patient presented with a cervical metastasis. Surgical excision of the head and neck metastasis is recommended for improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nephrology
- Head and Neck Surgery
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant neoplasm of the kidney.
- Distant metastases from RCC typically occur in the lungs, bone, liver, and brain.
- Metastasis to the head and neck region is an uncommon presentation of renal cell carcinoma.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old woman presented with an 18-month history of a progressively enlarging cervical mass.
- Initial evaluation and excision of the cervical mass raised suspicion for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
- Abdominal imaging revealed a 4 cm left renal mass consistent with primary renal cell carcinoma.
Findings:
- Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the cervical mass.
- A radical left nephrectomy was performed, confirming the primary renal tumor.
- The patient received immunotherapy and showed no evidence of recurrent disease at 9-month follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering uncommon metastatic sites in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses.
- Surgical excision of head and neck metastases from renal cell carcinoma may be the preferred treatment modality.
- Addressing metastatic disease in the head and neck can significantly impact patient morbidity and quality of life.