Development of renal carcinoma in a patient with polycystic kidneys undergoing chronic haemodialysis

A 67-year-old woman died after 4 years of treatment by haemodialysis. End-stage renal failure was caused by polycystic kidney disease. Malignancy was suspected in the last 6 months of treatment because of impressive weight loss and a suspect liver-scan. Macroscopic haematuria in the first period of treatment was noted only once. Necropsy revealed renal carcinoma of the right polycystic kidney and tumour metastases in various organs. The problem of development of renal carcinoma in polycystic kidney disease in the light of the increased incidence of malignancy during chronic renal failure is discussed.