IL-6-producing Renal Cell Carcinoma Causing Renal and Endocrine Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Intern Med. 2019 Jul 1;58(13):1953-1960. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2000-18. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Abstract

An 83-year-old man with stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) exhibited a sudden increase in urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and protein excretion, suggesting aggravated kidney damage. Simultaneously, he lost diabetic control, requiring up to 54 units of insulin daily. A detailed examination revealed the presence of renal cell carcinoma, which was surgically resected and confirmed to be interleukin-6-positive by immunohistochemistry. Postoperatively, his uni-nephrectomy necessitated hemodialysis, but the patient's insulin resistance was ameliorated; no medication was required to control diabetes, suggesting that the tumor had caused the insulin resistance. This report describes a case of a tumor secreting interleukin-6, which affects both the control of diabetes and CKD progression.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease (CKD); diabetes mellitus; insulin resistance; interleukin-6 (IL-6); paraneoplastic syndrome; renal cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / surgery*
  • Disease Progression
  • Hexosaminidases / urine*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / urine*
  • Male
  • Nephrectomy / methods
  • Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes / surgery*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Hexosaminidases