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Modeling Spontaneous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mice Following Nephrectomy
Published on: April 29, 2014
Renal cell carcinoma--a great mimicker
Amir Mohammad1, Claudia McClintock
1University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA.
Connecticut Medicine
|March 31, 2007
Summary
This case study highlights a rare presentation of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in an elderly woman. The cancer manifested as acute pancreatitis, a paraneoplastic syndrome, complicating early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nephrology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) often presents asymptomatically, delaying diagnosis.
- The classic diagnostic triad for RCC (flank pain, hematuria, flank mass) is rare, occurring in only 10% of patients.
- RCC is known to be associated with diverse paraneoplastic syndromes.
Observation:
- An elderly female patient presented with acute pancreatitis.
- This presentation was investigated as a potential paraneoplastic phenomenon.
- Radiological findings and histopathology confirmed sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.
Findings:
- The patient's acute pancreatitis was identified as a paraneoplastic manifestation of underlying sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma.
- This case underscores the varied clinical presentations of RCC beyond typical symptoms.
- Sarcomatoid RCC, a rare subtype, can present with unusual paraneoplastic syndromes.
Implications:
- Recognizing paraneoplastic syndromes like acute pancreatitis is crucial for the early diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.
- This case expands the understanding of RCC's atypical clinical manifestations.
- Clinicians should consider RCC in the differential diagnosis of unexplained paraneoplastic syndromes, especially in elderly patients.
