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Renal cell carcinoma presenting as polymyalgia rheumatica. Resolution after nephrectomy
O A Sidhom1, M Basalaev, L H Sigal
1Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|September 13, 1993
Summary
Renal cell carcinoma can mimic polymyalgia rheumatica, a condition causing muscle pain. Surgical removal of the kidney tumor resolved the patient's symptoms, highlighting an unusual cancer presentation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rheumatology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to cause paraneoplastic syndromes.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition characterized by muscle pain and stiffness.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms consistent with polymyalgia rheumatica syndrome.
- The patient's symptoms were unresponsive to a course of prednisone treatment.
- Evaluation revealed an asymptomatic, nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Findings:
- Nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney) resulted in the complete resolution of the patient's systemic complaints.
- This case demonstrates that renal cell carcinoma can manifest as polymyalgia rheumatica.
Implications:
- Malignancies, particularly renal cell carcinoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica, especially in cases resistant to standard treatment.
- Early detection and surgical management of underlying tumors can lead to the resolution of paraneoplastic syndromes.
- This highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosing and managing complex patient presentations involving both oncologic and rheumatologic conditions.