Rapid progression of small cell carcinoma in a renal transplant recipient

Methotrexate therapy leading to a rapid progression of a previously indolent prostate cancer: is immunosuppression to blame?

Methotrexate therapy has been associated with occurrence and/or accelerated progression of malignancies. We describe a patient who developed widespread bone metastases of a previously confined to the prostate gland prostate cancer shortly after starting methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and large granular lymphocyte leukemia. We believe an immunosuppressive milieu brought on by the methotrexate use in this case is responsible for the rapid progression of prostate cancer leading to the patient's demise. To the best of our knowledge, no association has been made to date between the therapy with methotrexate and a fulminant course of a previously indolent prostate cancer. Given its utilization in a variety of benign and malignant conditions and the ageing population, caution is advised with the use of this agent, especially in the presence of an underlying malignancy.

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder in transplant recipients: a report of 2 cases

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the urinary bladder is a rare disease accounting for 0.5% to 0.7% of all primary bladder cancers. Transplant recipients are a special subset of patients with increased risk for various urologic malignancies, including transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. However, to the best of our knowledge, a SCC of the urinary bladder has not been reported in transplant recipients. We report what we believe are the first 2 reported cases of transplant recipients with SCC of the bladder. Small cell carcinoma was diagnosed 5 years after transplantation in both patients and they died due to metastatic SCC. Our report emphasizes the highly aggressive nature of SCC and also the rapid progression seen in transplant recipients.

Post-transplant small cell carcinoma arising in the native kidney of renal transplant recipient

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) originating from kidney is extremely rare. To date, there has been no reported case of primary SCC of renal transplant recipients' (RTRs)' own kidney. Here, we report the first case of primary SCC of RTRs' own kidney. Resection of bilateral native kidneys, possessing whole length of ureters and small cuffs of bladder along with a neoplasm located in her right kidney, was performed on a 68-year-old female patient, five years after renal transplantation. The immuno-histochemical result confirmed mixed SCC of the right kidney (SCC combined with little transitional cell carcinoma). Postoperatively, platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy (Cisplatin combined with Gemcitabine) was given, and the patient is still alive with well-functioning transplanted kidney.