A Case Series of Nephrotic Syndrome: A Harbinger of Catastrophic Oncologic Diseases

A cancer patient can have numerous complications involving the kidneys, ranging from acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, glomerulopathies, electrolyte, and acid-base disorders. It can be due to the malignancy itself or due to chemotherapeutic agents. Paraneoplastic glomerulopathy is a rare presentation of neoplastic disease.

We present a case series of two patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with a gynecologic tumor. Both patients responded only partially to steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. Complete remission was only achieved after treatment of primary malignancy.

It is critical to recognize this entity as immunosuppression may induce a flare in the tumor course and worsen outcomes. So, age-appropriate screening of malignancy should ideally be performed in any adult patient with nephrotic syndrome.