The Great Imposter: A Confusing Case of a Rare Renal Cell Carcinoma

R I Med J (2013). 2020 Dec 1;103(10):35-37.

Abstract

We report a 61-year-old male with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) in the context of multiple paraneoplastic syndromes, including thrombocytosis, leukemoid reaction, and paraneoplastic hepatopathy (Stauffer syndrome). The patient's clinical course was complicated by multiple medical challenges, extensive metastases, and persistent infection. This confusing presentation of a rare subtype of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) highlights the diverse and often misleading manifestations of this aggressive malignancy. Clinicians should be aware of the association between RCC, multiple paraneoplastic syndromes, and its propensity to present with systemic, non-renal symptoms.

Keywords: leukemoid reaction; paraneoplastic syndrome; renal cell carcinoma; sarcomatoid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes* / diagnosis