IgA glomerulonephritis in a patient with renal cell carcinoma

A case of IgA glomerulonephritis associated with renal cell carcinoma is reported. A 61-year-old male was admitted because of a left renal mass and proteinuria. A diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was made by computed tomography and angiography. Left radical nephrectomy was performed. Microscopically, the tumor tissue revealed renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell type. Light, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic examinations demonstrated characteristic features of IgA glomerulonephritis. The proteinuria and hematuria disappeared 8 months after removal of the tumor. These findings suggest that the IgA glomerulonephritis in our patient may have been attributable to an immune response against the renal cell carcinoma.