Renal cell carcinoma presenting as an upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Renal Cell Carcinoma with or without Tumor Thrombus Invading the Liver, Pancreas and Duodenum

Simple Summary

Renal cell carcinoma rarely invades the surrounding visceral structures. While surgical extirpation has been the mainstay of treatment for the localized disease, the role of surgery in cases of venous involvement, adjacent invasion or distant metastasis remains controversial. Furthermore, the surgical option may represent a challenge. A large series of locally advanced renal cancer with involvement of the liver, pancreas, and/or duodenum, sometimes in conjunction with tumor thrombus extending inside the inferior vena cava is herein reported. Our series establishes the technical feasibility of this complex surgical procedure with acceptable complication rates, no perioperative death, and potential for durable response. With the use of new systemic therapy schedules, these patients will probably have a better opportunity of survival extension.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes of a series of patients with locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who underwent radical nephrectomy, tumor thrombectomy, and visceral resection. Patients and methods: 18 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment in the period 2003-2019 were included. Neoplastic extension was found extending into the pancreas, duodenum, and liver in 9(50%), 2(11.1%), and 7(38.8%) patients, respectively. Seven patients (38.8%) presented also inferior vena cava tumor thrombus level I (n = 3), II (n = 2), or III (n = 2). The resection was tailored according to the degree of invasiveness. Demographics, clinical presentation, disease characteristics, surgical details, 30-day postoperative complications, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Results: Median age was 56 years (range: 40–76). Median tumor size was 14.5 cm (range, 8.8–22), and 10 cm (range: 4–15) for those cases with pancreatico-duodenal and liver involvement, respectively. Median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 475 mL (range: 100–4000) and resulted higher for those cases requiring thrombectomy (300 mL vs. 750 mL). Nine patients (50%) required transfusions with a median requirement of 4 units (range: 2–8). No perioperative deaths were registered in the first 30 days. Overall complication rate was 44.4%. Major complications were detected in 6/18 patients (33.3%). Overall median follow-up was 24 months (range: 0–108). Five-year OS (actuarial) rate was 89.9% and 75%, for 9/11 patients with pancreatico-duodenal involvement and 6/7 patients with liver invasion, respectively. Conclusion: Our series establishes the technical feasibility of this procedure with acceptable complication rates, no deaths, and potential for durable response.

Renal cell carcinoma presenting as nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms: a case report

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arises from the renal epithelium and accounts for more than 90% of kidney cancers. RCC has a diverse range of clinical manifestations. The classical triad of loin pain, hematuria and abdominal mass is only present in 4%–17% of cases. Here, we demonstrate a unique case of RCC presenting as upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms without any specific GI involvement.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old man, presented with ongoing severe heartburn, nausea and vomiting for 5 months. The patient further complained of weight loss over the last 2 months. Routine blood tests were normal except raised C-reactive protein and ALP. Examination revealed a large and tender liver, and he was subsequently referred under the upper GI cancer pathway. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed hiatus hernia and gastritis. CT scan revealed an 11 and 9 mm nodule in the left and right lung, respectively. There was a further metastatic 13×7 cm² mass in the liver and 10×8 cm² mass arising from the upper pole of the left kidney with convincing evidence of tumor thrombus in left renal vein. The patient was promptly referred under the care of the oncologist team and died within months.

Conclusion

The classical triad of loin pain, hematuria and abdominal mass for RCC is not that common and RCC should be suspected in patients complaining of upper GI pain with nonspecific symptoms. Furthermore, it is not necessary that patients complaining of “heartburn” have a GI cause, as pathology in other thoracic organs present in a similar manner.