Multiple myeloma and renal cell carcinoma possible association

Plasma Cell Myeloma Within a Renal Cell Carcinoma, an Intimate Histologic Relationship: A Case Report and Literature Review

The coexistence of two separate malignancies in a patient is a rare occurrence. Even more infrequent is the coexistence of a hematologic malignancy and a solid tumor. However, the relationship between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and plasma cell myeloma (PCM) has been reported in previous studies. These studies described synchronous cases of RCC and PCM and demonstrated that this situation occurs more frequently than expected by probability calculations. We present, what we believe to be, the first reported case of RCC directly and physically involved by PCM and, we review the literature on the association between these malignancies and explore possible mechanisms for their higher than expected association. In describing this case, emphasis is made to describe unique histologic findings that could further support a more direct and intimate association between these tumors.

Renal cell carcinoma and plasma cell myeloma: Unique association and clinical implications

Several case series, in the recent past, have postulated an association between plasma cell myeloma (MM) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Population-based data have revealed a bi-directional association between these two malignancies, which points to shared risk factors, similar cytokine (Interleukin-6, IL-6) requirements for growth and survival, and overlapping clinical presentation. The presence of lytic lesions in a patient with prior RCC may simulate bone metastasis; thus, leading to a diagnostic pitfall with potentially adverse clinical implications. Besides these, therapeutic strategies employed for MM have been tried for RCCs with partial success. We aimed to describe two patients, aged 64 and 54 years, with RCC-MM association, with review of relevant literature; and create awareness among pathologists/hematologists, and oncologists. Elucidating a common genetic basis might throw some light in understanding the pathobiology of these tumors and development of newer targeted therapies.

Plasmablastic multiple myeloma following clear cell renal cell carcinoma

We aim to describe the clinicohaematological profile of an elderly male with plasmablastic multiple myeloma (MM) (IgG λ, International System Stage II) with an unfavourable outcome following chemotherapy. The serum interleukin-6 level was found to be markedly elevated (2464 pg/mL, reference; <50 pg/mL). Thirty-six months prior to MM diagnosis, he underwent left radical nephrectomy for a stage III (pT3N0M0) clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC, Fuhrman grade 2). The unique MM-RCC association, shared risk factors, myeloma pathobiology and clinical implications are discussed with a brief literature review.

The association between renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma: insights from population-based data

OBJECTIVE

• To evaluate the hypothesis of an association between renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Data from nine population-based registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results programme were used to evaluate two separate cohorts of patients diagnosed between 1973 and 2006: patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma as a primary malignancy (n= 57,190) and patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma as a primary malignancy (n= 34,156). • We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by dividing the number of observed cases of multiple myeloma within the renal cell carcinoma cohort and the number of renal cell carcinoma cases within the multiple myeloma cohort by the number of expected cases for each malignancy in the US general population.

RESULTS

• The renal cell carcinoma cohort yielded 88 multiple myeloma cases during 293,511 person-years of follow up. Patients with renal cell carcinoma had a higher relative risk of multiple myeloma than the general population (SIR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.21-1.85). • The multiple myeloma cohort yielded 69 renal cell carcinoma cases during 100,804 person-years of follow up. Patients with multiple myeloma had a higher relative risk of renal cell carcinoma than the general population (SIR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.47-2.40).

CONCLUSION

• Our analyses revealed a bidirectional association between renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma, which typically indicates shared risk factors.