Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma in the ascending colon: A case report

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arises from the renal parenchyma and is the most common primary malignancy of the kidney. RCC frequently metastasizes to the lung, bone, lymph nodes, and other locations, but rarely to the colon. We report a case of metastatic RCC of the ascending colon that was successfully resected with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

The patient is a 65-year-old man who developed hip joint pain and was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica during the first year after laparoscopic right nephrectomy for right RCC. A screening colonoscopy was performed and a tumor was found in the ascending colon. Biopsy strongly suggested metastatic RCC. No other distant metastases were found, and laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed. The tumor extended from the mucosa to the subserosa and was diagnosed histopathologically as colonic metastasis of RCC. There were no lymph node metastases in the simultaneously resected mesentery, but venous invasion was observed.

RCC can metastasize to various organs, but metastasis to the colon is extremely rare. In cases of colon metastasis, abdominal symptoms, hematochezia, or anemia may occur, and their occurrence should be checked during follow-up. Based on past reports, resection of metastatic lesion is considered the most appropriate treatment.

Although it is rare for RCC to metastasize to the colon, it is possible. Resection can be recommended for colon metastasis with no other metastases, and colectomy with R0, including the regional mesocolon, may provide a favorable long-term prognosis.