Causal relationships between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome associated with solid malignancies: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) can occur as a paraneoplastic disorder in association with various types of carcinoma. However, paraneoplastic nephrotic syndrome (PNS) is often misdiagnosed as idiopathic nephrotic syndrome or as an adverse effect of oncology treatment, leading to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. The characteristics of NS associated with solid malignancies are not yet elucidated. We systematically summarized the clinical data for 128 cases of NS combined with solid malignancies with the aim of informing the clinical management of PNS.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database for articles published from the date of inception through to October 2023 using the following keywords: "cancer" or "malignant neoplasms" or "neoplasia" or "tumors" and "nephrotic syndrome", "nephrotic" or "syndrome, nephrotic". All data were extracted from case reports and case series, and the extraction included a method for identifying individual-level patient data.

RESULTS

A literature search yielded 105 cases of PNS and 23 of NS induced by cancer therapy. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. In patients with PNS, manifestations of NS occurred before, concomitantly with, or after diagnosis of the tumor (in 36%, 30%, and 34% of cases, respectively). Membranous nephropathy (49%) was the most prevalent renal pathology and found particularly in patients with lung, colorectal, or breast carcinoma. Regardless of whether treatment was for cancer alone or in combination with NS, the likelihood of remission was high.

CONCLUSION

The pathological type of NS may be associated with specific malignancies in patients with PNS. Prompt identification of PNS coupled with suitable therapeutic intervention has a significant impact on the outcome for patients.

Patient with esophageal cancer showing remission of nephrotic syndrome after esophagectomy: report of a case

A 73-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital due to bilateral leg edema and proteinuria in April 2009. After admission, nephrotic syndrome (membranous nephropathy) was diagnosed. At that point, a cancer screening test was performed; however, no abnormalities were noted. Medical treatment with prednisolone and cyclosporine was started, which resulted in the temporary improvement of markers of laboratory data. The patient was re-examined in November of the same year, and esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, T2N0M0 Stage IIA according to the UICC TNM classification) was detected in the lower thoracic esophagus. Subtotal esophagectomy was performed via right thoracolaparotomy with two-field lymph node dissection. Although the patient's course was complicated by respiratory failure, he was discharged after 38 days. After performing esophagectomy, prompt amelioration of the nephrotic syndrome occurred, allowing the withdrawal of prednisolone and cyclosporine. There has been no recurrence of esophageal cancer or relapse of nephrotic syndrome during a period of 18 months after esophagectomy.